Socio-economic issues and impacts of agricultural and food losses

This paper examines the socio-economic and environmental consequences of agricultural and food losses, which account for roughly 30% of global production. Food losses occur primarily at the production stage in less developed countries and at the distribution and consumption stages in developed countries. Globally, these losses generate approximately 3.3 Gt of carbon equivalent greenhouse gas emissions, consume 250 km3 of water annually, and occupy 28% of agricultural land. Economically, they amount to an estimated $750 billion at the agricultural level and two to three times more at the consumer level. The study reviews political agendas from the FAO, the European Union’s resource efficiency roadmap targeting a 50% reduction by 2025, and national initiatives such as France’s anti-food-waste campaigns and policy proposals.