Fish loss and waste across value chains in low- and lower middle-income countries: a review

Abstract

Estimation and reduction of fish loss and waste (FLW) is essential for improving the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to the achievement of national development objectives related to food security, income, employment, livelihoods and trade. Despite various FLW estimation and evaluation of interventions for loss reduction, a lack of consolidated data to support evidence-based investments and policy choices at national level still exist. The study aimed to evaluate FLW in low- and lower middle-income countries, identify gaps in assessment and examine causes and mitigation measures. A systematic review was performed using predefined criteria, and extracted quantitative data from eligible studies were used to calculate the average fish weight loss and the corresponding financial losses. The literature search was conducted without date restrictions. After applying the inclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 48 articles published between 1996–2024 were retained from an initial 247 for detailed analysis. Results indicate variation in estimated fish weight losses across various value chain stages. While small-scale FLW studies are more prevalent in Africa than in Asia or Latin America, data remains limited especially for distribution, marketing and consumption stages. In Africa, the greatest fish losses occur during processing (15%) and marketing (14.5%), while Asia fish loss is most pronounced during capture and distribution stages (12.6% and 10%, respectively). In Latin America, processing accounts for the largest share of losses (13%). Fish waste at the consumption stage is minimal (1.5%). Research focuses on small pelagic fish species, with most studies estimating physical losses. Assessment of quality, nutritional and financial losses are limited, and few studies incorporate gender disaggregated and responsive data. A multidimensional intervention approach is recommended to sustainably reduce losses, thereby ensuring food and nutrition security, while contributing to economic development.