ASSESSMENT OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY PUBLIC MARKET, WEST SIDE ST. CORNER P. ACHARON BLVD., GENERAL SANTOS CITY, SOUTH COTABATO

The study on the assessment of post-harvest losses of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in General Santos City Public Market was conducted on May 2019 to evaluate the factors that affect the post-harvest losses of retailed bell pepper. The twenty-eight (28) respondents were taken after random sampling from a population of registered bell pepper retailers at the vegetable section of the General Santos City Public Market. The pieces of information were collected using a combination of closed and opened-type questions. The data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistical analysis. The study revealed that the common losses of retailed bell pepper were due to mishandling (39%), rats and other insects (36%), and product stealing (theft) (25%). Fifty-seven (57) percent of the retailers stated that their bell pepper deteriorates after three (3) days and they lose five (5) percent or 50 grams per kilo during the whole duration of selling their retailed bell pepper.