The publication of this manual marks the culmination of a long period of collaborative research by numerous professionals and organizations. In fact we believe that by providing the necessary organizational, institutional, and financial support over a period of approximately five years, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the ASEAN Food Handling Bureau (AFHB), and the Postharvest Institute for Perishables (PIP), have demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-institutional cooperation. The development of the Commodity Systems Assessment Methodology (CSAM) grew out of the perceived need for a systematic approach to identifying and resolving postharvest problems. However, during the basic research stage, the necessity to analyze postharvest problems from the perspective of a whole commodity system became increasingly apparent. This manual was written to provide professionals in the agricultural sector with proven methodological tools which can be utilized in identifying and solving problems throughout a commodity system. A systematic approach, from planning to product distribution, helps to ensure that all factors affecting a given commodity are con