Total Waste as a Percentage of Total Domestic Supply: Food Loss

Food loss reflects the inefficiencies in supply chains and consumption patterns, measured as the percentage of total domestic supply wasted. This dataset from the Global Food Security Index ranks countries based on their food loss percentages, highlighting challenges and opportunities for sustainable food systems.

Which countries experience the highest food loss?

Ghana leads with 20.32% of its domestic food supply wasted, followed by Cameroon (14.51%) and Niger (11.99%). These high levels of food loss are often linked to inadequate storage, poor transportation infrastructure, and inefficiencies in agricultural systems.

Top 10 countries with the highest food loss percentages

The countries with the highest percentages of food loss are:

1. Ghana: 20.32%
2. Cameroon: 14.51%
3. Niger: 11.99%
4. Angola: 11.82%
5. Mali: 11.74%
6. Uruguay: 10.94%
7. Guinea: 10.42%
8. Costa Rica: 10.4%
9. Rwanda: 10.21%
10. Brazil: 10.07%

Which regions face significant food loss challenges?

Sub-Saharan Africa dominates the rankings, with countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Niger experiencing the highest food loss. These regions often lack adequate infrastructure, leading to post-harvest losses and inefficiencies in the supply chain.

How does food loss impact global food security?

High food loss reduces the availability of food, increases costs, and exacerbates hunger in vulnerable populations. Addressing food loss is essential for achieving global food security and reducing environmental impacts from wasted resources.

What factors contribute to food loss?

Key factors include inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation systems, and limited access to modern agricultural technologies. Countries with high food loss often struggle with infrastructure development and resource management.

Which countries have low food loss percentages?

Countries like Ireland (1.01%), Malaysia (1.66%), and Switzerland (1.75%) demonstrate effective food management systems and efficient supply chains, resulting in minimal food waste.

How can countries reduce food loss?

Investing in infrastructure, modernizing supply chains, and implementing policies to reduce post-harvest losses are critical. Public awareness campaigns and innovations in food preservation can also play a significant role in minimizing waste.