Several studies have shown that traditional vegetables have high market potential and contribute substantially to household incomes and nutrition. Until recently however, the scientific and donor community often give less attention to research on traditional vegetable crop value chains. The resurgence of traditional vegetables’ importance in human nutrition is accompanied by a need to understand the interactions among various actors in their value chain to determine ways to add value to produce and improve marketing efficiency. Based on a multistage cross-sectional survey of 240 respondents in Malawi and Mozambique, this study employed participatory evaluation and market research to identify potential outlets and target crops, and define value chain processes, including choice of market outlets and mode of farmer-buyer linkages. Traditional vegetable sales contributed about 35% and 30% of smallholders’ income in Malawi and Mozambique respectively. Linkages between value chain actors were found to be weak; mostly based on spot market transactions, except for those between retailers and supermarkets, which were based on relationship marketing.
Keywords: African traditional vegetables, commodity value chains, human nutrition, marketing efficiency, SWOT analysis, value chain mapping.