Food waste – fast facts
FOOD WASTE
Food waste – fast facts
Food losses and waste per year are roughly 30 % for cereals , 40-50 % for root crops , fruits and vegetables , 20 % for oil seeds , meat and dairy , plus 35 % for fish .
In Africa , the value of lost food exceeds the annual value of grain imports , according to the World Food Programme .
Disposal of food waste in landfill emits potent greenhouse gas emissions as it decomposes . In the US , for instance , rotting food accounts for nearly a quarter of methane emissions .
An annual investment of US $ 14bn in the US alone over the next 10 years can reduce food waste by more than 50 % each year resulting in US $ 73bn in annual net financial benefit – a five-to-one return . That ’ s according to ReFed ’ S 2022 Food Waste Forecast .
The food currently wasted in Europe could feed 200 million people ; in Latin America , 300 million people ; and in Africa , also 300 million people .
Shelf-life extension – keeping food fresh for longer One of the biggest contributors to food waste in the supply chain is the decomposition and disposal of fresh produce , as nearly half of all fruit and vegetables produced globally are wasted each year , according to the UN .
To tackle this , technology is being harnessed to leverage data and tangible insights so everyone from manufactures to retailers can make informed decisions about ordering , distributing and merchandising to avoid waste .
106 February 2022