REDUCING FOOD
LOSS AND WASTE
Installment 2 of “Creating a Sustainable Food Future”
June 2013
Brian Lipinski, Associate, World Resources Report
Photo: WRAP
ABOUT WRI
WRI’S MISSION | To move human society
to live in ways that protect Earth's
environment and its capacity
to provide for the needs and aspirations of
current and future generations.
WRR 2013-2014: SUSTAINABLE FOOD FUTURES
How can the world adequately feed more than 9 billion people by 2050
in a manner that advances economic development while
reducing pressure on ecosystems, climate, and freshwater resources?
THE SIZE OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE (2009)
24% of global food supply by energy content (calories)
32%
of global food supply by weight
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
DEFINITIONS
During or
immediately after
harvesting on the
farm
After produce
leaves the farm for
handling, storage,
and transport
During industrial
or domestic
processing and/or
packaging
During distribution
to markets,
including losses at
wholesale and
retail markets
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
Losses in the
home or business
of the consumer,
including
restaurants and
caterers
SHARE OF TOTAL FOOD LOSS AND WASTE IN THE
VALUE CHAIN, 2009
100% = 1.5 quadrillion kcal
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
SHARE OF GLOBAL FOOD LOSS AND WASTE BY
COMMODITY, 2009
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
SHARE OF COMMODITY LOST OR WASTED, 2009
(Percent of kcal)
Note: Values displayed are of waste as a percent of food supply, defined here as the sum of the
“Food” and “Processing” columns of the FAO Food Balance Sheet.
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
SHARE OF GLOBAL FOOD LOSS AND WASTE BY
REGION, 2009
(100% = 1.5 quadrillion kcal)
Note: Number may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
FOOD LOST OR WASTED BY REGION, 2009
Kcal/capita/day
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
FOOD LOST OR WASTED BY REGION AND STAGE IN
VALUE CHAIN, 2009
Percent of kcal lost and wasted
Note: Number may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Source: WRI analysis based on FAO. 2011. Global food losses and food waste – extent, causes
and prevention. Rome: UN FAO.
IMPLICATIONS: ECONOMIC
US$1600/year for an American family of four
£680/year for the average household in the UK
US$32 billion worth of food thrown away in China each year
IMPLICATIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL
Greenhouse gas emissions
Land use
REDUCING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE CAN
CLOSE THE 2050 FOOD GAP BY 22%
Global annual crop production (kcal trillion)*
15,532
1,314
9,491
2006 - food
availability
Food loss and
waste savings
(50% reduction)
* Includes all crops intended for direct human consumption, animal feed, industrial uses, seeds, and biofuels
Source: WRI analysis based on Bruinsma, J. 2009. The Resource Outlook to 2050: By how much
do land, water and crop yields need to increase by 2050? Rome: FAO; Alexandratos, N., and J.
Bruinsma. 2012. World agriculture towards 2030/2050: The 2012 revision. Rome: FAO.
2050 - baseline food
availability needed
FOOD REDISTRIBUTION
EVAPORATIVE COOLERS
SMALL METAL SILOS
PLASTIC CRATES
OTHER FACTORS
• Infrastructure (e.g. roads)
• Market access
• Interaction across the supply chain
RECOMMENDATION:
SET FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION TARGETS
• Global
• National
• Sub-national
• Private sector
RECOMMENDATION:
INCREASE INVESTMENT IN POSTHARVEST LOSS
RESEARCH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
RECOMMENDATION:
CREATE ENTITIES DEVOTED TO REDUCING FOOD
WASTE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
RECOMMENDATION:
ACCELERATE AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES TO
REDUCE FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
RECOMMENDATION:
DEVELOP A “FOOD LOSS AND WASTE PROTOCOL”
www.worldresourcesreport.org