Abstract:
This paper explores factors that constrain the flow of innovation ideas among downstream
actors in the food value chain in Tanzania. Prior focus was on the improvement of products, but
the influence of downstream actors has received little attention from the researchers in Africa.
Qualitative method was deemed to be adequate and advantageous because the study was on
understanding the challenges of innovation flow among downstream actors in the food value
chain in Tanzania. Food suppliers were selected from international or local retailers using contact
information of the processers provided on the packaging. The empirical findings of this
study indicate that trade credit, government requirements, counterfeit products, consumers’
preference and lack of skilled staff limit the flow of innovation in the food value chain
in Tanzania.
