Food security and food waste: Are there solutions?

Food waste is a global problem that directly affects food security. It includes all food that is lost from the human consumption system, whether during production, distribution, storage, or after reaching consumers. According to a 2024 report from the United Nations Environment Programme, the average amount of food wasted per person worldwide is about 79 kg per year. This accounts for 16% of the food lost during production and 14% of waste caused by consumer behavior, meaning around 30% of food produced globally is lost or wasted.

Food waste in Arab countries is higher than the global average. Each person wastes about 113 kg per year, which adds up to nearly one billion tons of wasted food. In Jordan, the report states that the average person wastes about 101 kg of food annually. However, this number is based on estimates, not actual field studies, so it could be overestimated. Other studies show that food waste in Jordan is closer to 80 kg per person per year.

Food security expert Fadil Al-Zoubi says that food waste in Jordan increases during special events, especially during Ramadan. The Consumer Protection Society reports that waste rises by 25 per cent to 30 per cent during this month. Promotional offers and discounts during Ramadan lead people to buy more food than needed, which then gets wasted due to expiration or poor storage. Al-Zoubi adds that consumer behavior plays a big role in food waste. Many people buy more food than they need due to sales or poor shopping planning. Also, not knowing how to store food properly can lead to spoilage before it is eaten.

Around the world, the ability to afford healthy food is an important factor in food waste. Statistics show that 52 per cent of people globally can't afford healthy food, while 42% of people in Arab countries face the same issue. In Jordan, this percentage is lower at 14%, meaning that more people can afford healthy food, which may contribute to increased food waste.

The food gap is another key issue related to food security. It’s the difference between local food production and local demand for food. While the world produces enough food to feed everyone, millions of people still suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Over 800 million people are hungry worldwide, even though about one-third of the food produced globally is wasted. This shows the direct link between food waste and hunger. Reducing food waste can help improve food security by redistributing excess food to people in need.

In Jordan, with only 14 per cent of people unable to afford healthy food, reducing food waste could improve food access and fairness. Efforts to reduce waste, such as donating unused food to charities or using it for animal feed and fertilizers, can help close the hunger gap. However, the real challenge is creating effective policies that encourage reusing food rather than throwing it away, to balance reducing waste and improving food security.

The royal opening of the National Seed Bank, part of the National Agricultural Research Center, aims to improve food security by developing the agricultural sector and creating new crop varieties. The bank plays a key role in dealing with challenges like climate change, water shortages, and population growth, helping to protect crop diversity and ensure a steady, healthy food supply. It supports the country’s vision for economic modernization, the National Sustainable Agriculture Plan (2022-2025), and the National Food Security Strategy, helping Jordan become more self-sufficient and less reliant on external food sources.

Food waste is not just an economic issue; it impacts food security and environmental sustainability. In Jordan, as in many countries, reducing food waste requires changing how people shop and consume, and improving policies that support responsible consumption. By continuing these efforts, food security can be improved both locally and globally. Reducing food waste and investing in local agriculture are key to ensuring food security, closing food gaps, and preserving resources for future generations.

Raad Mahmoud Al Tal is head of the Economics Department – University of Jordan- r.tal@ju.edu.jo