This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses |
| Indicator |
Indicator 12.3.1: (a) Food loss index |
| Metadata update |
April, 2024 |
| Related indicators |
SDG Sub-Indicator 12.3.1b: Food waste index |
| Data reporter |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Senior Manager, Agriculture statistics |
| Contact organisation unit |
Agriculture Statistics |
| Contact person function |
Production and dissemination of Agriculture statistics |
| Contact phone |
+254-202-911-000 |
| Contact mail |
30266-00100, Nairobi- Kenya |
| Contact email |
dps@knbs.or.ke |
| Definition and concepts |
Definitions: The Food Loss Index - Index of the changes in food loss over time covers five food groups along the supply chain. The indicator is computed as a ratio of Food Loss Percentages in the current year and the Food Loss Percentages in the base year according to a standard fixed-base index formula. This indicator complements SDG 12.3.1(b) on Food Waste (which is under the custodianship of UNEP). Both indicators look to divide the food value chain and measure the efficiency of the food system” Food losses - are all the crop and livestock human-edible commodity quantities that, directly or indirectly, completely exit the post-harvest/slaughter production/supply chain by being discarded, incinerated or otherwise, and do not re-enter in any other utilization (such as animal feed, industrial use, etc.), up to, and excluding, the retail level. Losses that occur during storage, transportation, and processing, also of imported quantities, are therefore all included. Losses include the commodity as a whole with its non-edible parts. Concepts: Food – Food - Any substance—whether processed, semi-processed, or raw—that is intended for human consumption. “Food” includes drink, and any substance that has been used in the manufacture, preparation, or treatment of food. “Food” also includes material that has spoiled and is therefore no longer fit for human consumption. It does not include cosmetics, tobacco, or substances used only as drugs. Food loss and waste (FLW) – is the decrease in quantity or quality of food. Quantitative food loss and waste – is the decrease in mass of food. Pre-harvest constitutes the time frame between maturity and harvesting. Harvest/slaughter/catch refers to the act of separating the food material from the site of immediate growth or production. |
| Unit of measure |
Unit of measure is an index number, hence there is no unit of measure |
| Classifications |
Central Product Classification (CPC) 2.1 expanded grouped in 5 commodity groups, namely: 1. Cereals & Pulses 2. Fruits & Vegetables 3. Roots & Tubers and Oil-Bearing crops 4. Animal Products 5. Fish and Fish Products |
| Data sources |
Annual Economic Surveys |
| Data collection method |
Administrative data |
| Data collection calendar |
2023 |
| Data release calendar |
May, 2024 |
| Data providers |
KNBS, Statistical Units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development |
| Data compilers |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Institutional mandate |
According to the Statistics Act of 2006, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is mandated to collect, compile, analyze, publish and disseminate official statistics for public use |
| Rationale |
The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda has emphasized the importance of sustainable production and consumption systems as efficient food systems, on the supply side and the consumption side, contribute to food security and sustainability of natural resource since agriculture is a major user of land and water. The Food Loss Index monitors progress on the supply side of food chains, as it measures if the share of agriculture production that does not reach the retail stage in 2030 has increased or decreased with respect to the base period and by how much |
| Comment and limitations |
Food losses are an extremely complex phenomenon to measure because they are multi-dimensional and data collection is costly. The Food loss index indicator is particularly challenging because it requires data along the whole supply chain. The most appropriate data sources would be an ensemble of surveys, however, most countries lack the capacity and resources to carry out this exercise |
| Method of computation |
The Food loss index indicator is computed as a ratio of Food Loss Percentages in the current year and the Food Loss Percentages in the base year according to a standard fixed-base index formula. |
| Validation |
Validation encompasses cross-checking the production, trade and utilizations including losses, datasets, which in turn form the basis for the compilation of the Food Balance Sheets (FBS). The FBS framework provides a snapshot of the agricultural supply situation at the national level, and allows for a cross-referenced structure whereby data, official or estimated/imputed, may be further analyzed and validated (e.g., animal numbers may result as being under-reported/estimated). |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
The Bureau uses recommended international standards and compilation guides when coming up with the reports. These include but not limited to: Guidelines on the Methodology for Monitoring SDG Target 12.3 by FAO of the UN. |
| Quality management |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO certified based on 9001:2015 Standard requirements. The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control, are carried out following the methodological framework and standards established by the KNBS, in compliance with the Internationally acceptable standards |
| Quality assurance |
The KNBS adheres to Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KesQAF) that underlines principles to be assured in managing the statistical production processes and output. Data consistency and quality checks are conducted through Technical Working Groups (TWGs) before publication and dissemination |
| Quality assessment |
The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control are subjected to a set criteria and standards to ensure conformity |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Data on Food loss index, at the national level is available in Chapter 7-Agriculture Sector Review, in the KNBS annual Economic Surveys, and also on the KNBS Website |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
None |
| References and Documentation |
https://www.knbs.or.ke/publications http://www.fao.org/3/CA2640EN/ca2640en.pdf https://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/CB1562EN/ . http://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/indicators/1231/en/ |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |