Food waste Index Report

Published: 15th Mar, 2021

According to the Food Waste Index Report 2021, 17% of all food available at consumer levels was wasted in 2019.

Context

According to the Food Waste Index Report 2021, 17% of all food available at consumer levels was wasted in 2019.

About

The Report

The report is released by United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organisation WRAP.
The index was prepared by using data from 54 countries and then extrapolated to the remaining countries.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed that food waste was a global problem and not that of just the developed world.

Key-highlights of the Report

Around 931 million tonnes of food waste was generated in 2019, sixty-one per cent of which came from households, 26 per cent from food service and 13 per cent from retail.
17 per cent of total global food production may be wasted.
On an average, 74 kilograms of food was wasted per capita at the household level.
Some countries like Austria and South Africa produce very low amounts of waste at 39 kg per capita per year and 40 kg per capita per year respectively.
Nigeria and Rwanda are producing waste at 189 kg per capita per year and 164 kg per capita per year respectively.

India’s Ranking-

In India, the household food waste estimate is 50 kg per capita per year, or 68,760,163 tonnes a year.
The household food waste estimate in the US is 59 kg per capita per year, or 19,359,951 tonnes a year, while for China these estimates are 64 kg per capita per year or 91,646,213 tonnes a year.

Impact of food waste

Food waste has substantial environmental, social and economic impacts.

GHG Emissions: 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.
Economic loss: Food loss and waste causes about $940 billion per year in economic losses. Reductions can save money for farmers, companies, and households.

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