Turkey Ranks 16th in UN Food Waste Index Report

According to the 2021 UN Food Waste Index Report, Turkey ranks 16th among countries with the highest per capita food waste. On 29 September, International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, MÜMSAD Chair Ebru Akdağ commented on the growing waste problem. According to the 2021 United Nations Food Waste Index Report, 931 million tonnes of food are wasted globally each year. The same report states that 17 percent of food ready for consumption in retail outlets, homes and restaurants worldwide goes directly to landfill. In Turkey, more than 7.7 million tonnes of food are wasted annually.

Mutfak Ürünleri ve Margarin Sanayicileri Derneği (MÜMSAD) Chair Ebru Akdağ, noting that the findings are quite alarming for both the world and Turkey, made the following remarks on the subject:

"According to the report, Turkey ranks 16th among countries with the highest per capita household food waste. In Turkey, 93 kilograms of food per capita are thrown away each year. Although we talk about sustainable production for the benefit of humanity and our planet, we do not adequately address our consumption errors. Referring to data from the Turkey Food Waste Report, Akdağ said, "In Turkey, 1.7 billion tonnes of bread go to landfill each year. This equals 4.9 million loaves of bread per day. The scale of waste is not limited to bread alone. We waste 42 percent of fruits and vegetables and 41 percent of milk and dairy products. Resources are wasted, unconsumed food causes greenhouse gas emissions, prices rise, and hunger becomes an increasingly felt problem today. Food waste means the waste of life and our world. The bells are ringing so loudly that we cannot remain silent."  

On food security, Turkey ranks 48th among 113 countries

"On food security, Turkey ranks 48th among 113 countries. We are not in a good position. There are major risks related to food security. If we want to make progress in combating climate change, loss of nature and biodiversity, pollution and waste, we must do our part to increase food security. By improving food security, we can reduce food waste and improve our future and our world,'' he said.