In 2021, around 131 kilogrammes (kg) of food per inhabitant were wasted in the EU. In total, the EU produced 58.4 million tonnes of food waste, which includes edible and inedible parts.
Among all economic groups, household waste accounted for most: 54% of the total amount of food waste, the equivalent of 70 kg per inhabitant. The remaining 46% was waste generated upwards in the food supply chain: 21% by the manufacture of food products and beverages group (28 kg), 9% by restaurants and food services (12 kg), 9% in the primary production (11 kg) and 7% in the retail group (9 kg).
Source dataset: env_wasfw
This information is part of the first dedicated statistical monitoring of the amount of food waste in the EU by sector of activity according to the NACE rev. 2 classification and by households.
Tackling consumer food waste remains a challenge both in the EU and globally.
Today also marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on Food waste and food waste prevention – estimates
- Thematic section on waste
- Database on waste
- European Commission food waste reduction proposal
- Reducing Food Waste in the EU: Q&A
Artigo publicado originalmente em Eurostat.
