Table of Contents
1. China
2. India
3. United States
4. Brazil
5. Indonesia
6. Germany
7. Russia
8. Philippines
9. South Africa
10. Ghana
Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
Trash
food
has become a global problem that not only puts pressure on the economy, but also exacerbates environmental damage and widens the gap
food crisis
.Every year, millions of tonnes of food are wasted, while around 783 million people worldwide still struggle with hunger.
This problem creates a great irony, when the food supply continues to be produced using expensive resources such as water, energy and land, most of the food ends up in landfills.
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When food waste rots, it produces methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to 8-10 percent of global emissions, according to UNEP.
Although often associated with rich countries, food waste turns out to be a problem across continents and across economic classes.According to the UNEP Food Waste Report 2024, the following is a list of the 10 countries with the largest amount of food waste in the world:
1. China
China occupies the top position with 108.6 million tons of food waste per year.With the world’s largest population, the average Chinese citizen throws away 76 kg of food every year.
Even though the waste reduction campaign is being intensified, the amount of food waste remains a big challenge.
2. India
India throws away around 78.1 million tons of food every year.Per capita, India’s food waste reaches 55 kg per person.
The lack of food storage and distribution infrastructure also exacerbates this problem amidst high poverty rates.
3. United States
The US produces 24.7 million tons of food waste every year, an average of 73 kg per capita.The culture of large portions, consumerist behavior and overproduction make Uncle Sam’s country one of the largest contributors to food waste in the world.
4. Brazil
Brazil wastes around 20.2 million tonnes of food per year.The per capita figure stands at 94 kg, one of the highest on this list.Despite increasing public awareness, household and restaurant waste is still the main source.
5. Indonesia
Indonesia is in fifth position with 14.7 million tons of food waste per year.Each person throws away 53 kg of food on average.The causes range from unequal distribution of food to low awareness of managing food waste.
6. Germany
Despite being known for having strict environmental regulations, Germany still throws away 6.5 million tonnes of food per year, or around 78 kg per person.Most waste comes from households and the retail sector.
7. Russia
Russia produces 4.8 million tons of food waste every year, an average of 33 kg per person.Excessive consumption patterns and inappropriate storage trigger high levels of food waste.
8. Philippines
The Philippines wastes 2.9 million tonnes of food per year, an average of 26 kg per capita.Challenges such as lack of storage facilities and lack of consumer education exacerbate the situation.
9. South Africa
South Africa contributes 2.8 million tonnes of food waste every year.Each person throws away around 47 kg of food, even though many residents still experience food insecurity.
10. Ghana
Ghana records 2.8 million tons of food waste per year, with an average of 84 kg per capita, a fairly high figure.Rapid urbanization and changes in consumption patterns are the main triggers for the increase in the amount of food waste in the country.
(tis/tis)
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