Supply chain challenges and fresh beef post-harvest losses: Evidence from urban markets in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Fresh beef has a role in urban food security, nutrition in households and livelihoods of the livestock supply chain actors; however, because it is perishable in nature, unsold fresh beef is very susceptible to deterioration and economic losses. This study examined the effect of cold chain infrastructure, roads infrastructure, and intermediate services on vulnerability to post harvest losses of fresh beef in Buguruni and Temeke markets in Dar es Salaam. The study was guided by Supply Chain Resilience Theory and Transaction Cost Economics. Explanatory cross sectional survey design was used. A sample of 109 respondents out of a total population of 150 value chain actors dealing in fresh beef was obtained using Yamane’s finite population formula and proportionate stratified sampling method. The data was collected through structured questionnaires. The responses provided by respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, pearson correlation and multiple regression. The model was found to be statistically significant with an explanatory power of 57.1%. The strongest effect on reducing losses was seen with road infrastructure, followed by cold chain infrastructure and support services for intermediaries. The research thus came to the conclusion that losses in fresh beef arise due to interlinked limitations of transportation, storage, affordability, and coordination of markets. The study recommended that the government to improve roads and scheduling of deliveries, development of cold storage facilities with necessary utilities, and demand information.