Processing fresh fruits and vegetables has numerous benefits for both businesses and consumers, yet it is estimated that 30% of fruits and vegetables that are grown are lost prior to reaching the processing stage of the value chain. By moving processing closer to production, also known as proximate processing, businesses can overcome this challenge, reducing the volume of nutritious foods lost and bringing more goods to market.
In this Learning Brief, the Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (PLAN) explores various business models for proximate processing that are being applied in other countries. This brief is meant to serve as a primer for Nigerian business owners interested in learning more about proximate processing and its potential applications for their business.