Food loss and waste: facts and futures
The Food Loss and Waste: Facts and Futures Report sketches the state of food loss and waste, with a specific lens into excessive food loss and wastage in South Africa. In South Africa, 10 million tonnes of food go to waste every year. This accounts for a third of the 31 million tonnes that are produced annually in South Africa. Together, fruits, vegetables and cereals account for 70% of the wastage and loss. This wastage and loss primarily occur early in the food supply chain. As the South African diet continues to shift towards one that is higher in processed foods and lower in fruit and vegetables, malnutrition will increase as well. Reducing food waste in South Africa can improve the health and well-being of the majority of South Africans.