Food Waste in the EU: Statistics and Impacts

Food waste in the EU amounts to over 58 million tonnes annually (131 kg per capita), valued at €132 billion. Households account for 54% (70 kg per capita), followed by manufacturing (21%, 28 kg), primary production (9%, 11 kg), food services (9%, 12 kg), and retail (7%, 9 kg). Global food waste reached 1.05 billion tonnes in 2022, with 60% from households, 28% from food services, and 12% from retail. Reducing waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions, conserves resources, and enhances food security across supply chains. Data from Eurostat (env_wasfw) shows per capita waste by sector in EU member states for 2021.