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Observability of food safety losses in maize: Evidence from Kenya

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  • Hoffmann, Vivian
  • Mutiga, Samuel K.
  • Harvey, Jagger W.
  • Nelson, Rebecca J.
  • Milgroom, Michael G.

Abstract

Like many other quality attributes, food safety tends to degrade after harvest, but unlike losses in quantity and many quality attributes, food safety losses are not readily observable by market actors. This implies the absence of incentives to address food safety losses specifically. To the extent that food safety is correlated with valued and observable food attributes, food safety losses may affect price indirectly, partially correcting this information failure.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoffmann, Vivian & Mutiga, Samuel K. & Harvey, Jagger W. & Nelson, Rebecca J. & Milgroom, Michael G., 2021. "Observability of food safety losses in maize: Evidence from Kenya," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:98:y:2021:i:c:s030691922030097x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hoffmann, Vivian & Gatobu, Ken Mwithirwa, 2014. "Growing their own: Unobservable quality and the value of self-provisioning," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 168-178.
    2. Magnan, Nicholas & Hoffmann, Vivian & Opoku, Nelson & Gajate Garrido, Gissele & Kanyam, Daniel Akwasi, 2021. "Information, technology, and market rewards: Incentivizing aflatoxin control in Ghana," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    3. Kadjo, Didier & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Alexander, Corinne, 2016. "Estimating Price Discounts for Low-Quality Maize in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 115-128.
    4. Affognon, Hippolyte & Mutungi, Christopher & Sanginga, Pascal & Borgemeister, Christian, 2015. "Unpacking Postharvest Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 49-68.
    5. Marcel Fafchamps & Ruth Vargas Hill & Bart Minten, 2008. "Quality control in nonstaple food markets: evidence from India," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 38(3), pages 251-266, May.
    6. Kirimi, Lilian & Sitko, Nicholas & Jayne, Thom S. & Karin, Francis & Muyanga, Milu & Sheahan, Megan & Flock, James & Bor, Gilbert, 2011. "A Farm Gate-to-Consumer Value Chain Analysis of Kenya's Maize Marketing System," Working Papers 202597, Egerton University, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development.
    7. Langyintuo, A. S. & Ntoukam, G. & Murdock, L. & Lowenberg-DeBoer, J. & Miller, D. J., 2004. "Consumer preferences for cowpea in Cameroon and Ghana," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 203-213, May.
    8. Vivian Hoffmann & Christine Moser, 2017. "You get what you pay for: the link between price and food safety in Kenya," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 48(4), pages 449-458, July.
    9. Emma C. Stephens & Christopher B. Barrett, 2011. "Incomplete Credit Markets and Commodity Marketing Behaviour," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(1), pages 1-24, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nindi, Tabitha Charles & Bauchet, Jonathan & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob, 2023. "Information and the trade-off between food safety and food security in rural markets: Experimental evidence from Malawi," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 170-186.
    2. Oluwagbenga Akinwehinmi & Kolawole Ogundari & Taye Timothy Amos, 2022. "Consumers’ food control risk perception and preference for food safety certification in emerging food markets," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 690-708, September.
    3. Magnan, Nicholas & Hoffmann, Vivian & Opoku, Nelson & Gajate Garrido, Gissele & Kanyam, Daniel Akwasi, 2021. "Information, technology, and market rewards: Incentivizing aflatoxin control in Ghana," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Vivian Hoffmann & Sarah Kariuki & Janneke Pieters & Mark Treurniet, 2023. "Upside risk, consumption value, and market returns to food safety," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(3), pages 914-939, May.
    5. Akinwehinmi, Oluwagbenga J. & Colen, Liesbeth, 2024. "Effect of Information on Consumers’ Trade-Off Between Subjective Food Safety Cues and Certification: Insights from a Choice Experiment," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343674, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Michele Pedrotti & Daniele Fattibene & Marta Antonelli & Bob Castelein, 2023. "Approaching Urban Food Waste in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Framework and Evidence from Case Studies in Kibera (Nairobi) and Dhaka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.

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