African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7(29), pp. 4145-4150, 31 July, 2012 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR DOI: 10.5897/AJAR12.392 ISSN 1991-637X ©2012 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Assessment of post harvest losses of fruits at Tshakhuma fruit market in Limpopo Province, South Africa M. E. Mashau*, J. N. Moyane and I. A. Jideani Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950. South Africa. Accepted 23 May, 2012 The study on post-harvest losses of fruits was undertaken at Tshakhuma fruit market in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty women hawkers were randomly selected and interviewed to obtain information on their socio-economic characteristics and post-harvest loss of fruits. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected. The results indicate that most of the women were in the middle age category (74%) with what can be described as basic education only. Of the five types of common fruits sold, bananas were the most prevalent followed by guavas, avocados, oranges and pawpaw. About 50% of the fruits were lost mainly due to over-ripening as a consequence of lack of proper storage facilities and appropriate technologies. Key words: Assessment, postharvest losses, fruits, banana. INTRODUCTION A large portion of fresh fruits were lost worldwide after harvest. The main causes are physiological (wilting, shriveling and chilling injury, etc), pathological (decay due to fungi and bacteria) and physical (mechanical injury). These causes, in most instances can be interrelated, that is, mechanical injury can lead to postharvest decay in many cases (FAO, 1989; Madrid, 2011). Losses are estimated at 20 to 40% in developing countries and 10 to 15% in developed countries, depending on the crop and the season (Kader, 2005; Garnett, 2006; Ogunleye and Adefemi, 2007; Madrid, 2011). It is estimated that post- harvest losses in developed countries are an average of 12% from production to retail warehouses, and an estimated 20% at retail stores and foodservice sites (Madrid, 2011). Losses in developing countries run even higher because of poor storage and food-handling technologies (Salami et al., 2010). The general difference between developed and developing countries is that fresh fruits and vegetable infrastructure losses are greater in *Corresponding author. E-mail: mpho.mashau@univen.ac.za. Tel: +2715 962 8080. Fax: +2715 962 8598. developing than in developed countries (Parfitt et al., 2010). Most post harvest technology is devoted to reducing respiration and other metabolic reactions associated with quality retention by manipulating the external environment (Saltveit, 2004a). The Limpopo province produces 31% of the country’s sub-tropical fruit approximately, 25% of the citrus, 75% mangoes, 65% of papayas (pawpaw), 60% avocados, 25% of bananas, and 20% of litchis (LPFTDB, 2003). All fresh fruits are subject to damage when exposed to extremes of temperature (FAO, 1989). Fruits vary considerably in their temperature tolerance. Low temperatures are of great importance in maintaining fruit quality which attracts buyers (FAO, 1989). Informal markets in which large numbers of small traders participate are common across the agro-food value chain (Aliber et al., 2010). Informal sector activities, such as street vending, provide sustenance for many citizens and contribute substantially to the economy (Kamunyori, 2007). It is the segment of a country’s economy that operates outside the regulation and protection of the state (Kamunyori, 2007). However, a study by Mitullah (2003) in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa, showed that in most of these