ABSTRACT AN ECONOMIC HARVEST PROSPECTS OF THE TAMARIND INDUSTRY IN ARAYAT, PAMPANGA TITLE ANALYSIS OF LOSSES, DRAWBACKS, AND POST- CANDELARIA BATUTA OBRIQUE AUTHOR ADVISER SCHO0L AL R. MUÑOZ, MBM PAMPANGA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNTVERSITY DEGREE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS YEAR COMPLETED : JUNE 2023 This study aimed to investigate the socio-economic determinants and drawbacks affecting post-harvest losses of tamarind fruits at different levels of the supply chain in Arayat, Pampanga. A sample of439 respondents comprising growers, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers was surveyed through a structured questionnaire to meet the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of various independent variables on post-harvest losses. The study focused on the socio-economic determinants and drawbacks affecting post-harvest losses at the grower, trader, and wholesaler-retailer levels which were randomly selected while consumers were conveniently selected. The study revealed that various socio-economic predictors and drawbacks have an impact on the post-harvest losses of tamarind fruits. Results showed that the quantity harvested and the number of productive trees significantly (p<0.01) affects the post-harvest losses at the growers' level. At the same time, monthly income (p <0.05) and sex of the household head (p <0.10) both influences the losses at the trader's level, and the quantity sold (p<0.01) and monthly income (p<0.05) influence the losses at the wholesaler-retalers' level. Drawbacks such as transportation problems (p <0.10) and loading and unloading hazards (p<0.05) at the traders' level and delayed supply also significantly (p<0.05) influence the losses at the trader and wholesaler-retailers' levels, respectively. Notably, the most significant losses occurred at the consumer's level (23.62%), followed by the wholesaler/retailer's level (8.66%) and the grower's level (7.28%), while the traders had the most minor losses (4.80%). These losses were attributed to various stages of the supply chain, in which particular attention should be addressed to the handling and transportation as well as harvesting, storage stages, and food preparation. To reduce the post-harvest losses, the study recommends interventions to address post-harvest losses, including adopting recommended management practices, proper harvesting technology, direct marketing strategies, upgraded modes of transportation, improved storage facilities, and enhanced packaging.