Quantifying food wastage or measuring a monster The wastage of
food is one of the most significant yet under-recognised global
issues in the effort to combat food insecurity. Policy makers
and food industry stakeholders alike are aware that the
implications of the estimated 30-50% global food wastage for
energy, soil, water and human resources are significant. Just
how significant is not clear: relatively little data is
available on the intricacies of food wastage and its impact on
the world’s food systems. Southeast Asia as a region suffers
from a lack of information on food wastage along supply chains
in key food commodities. In order to address the issue,
developing accurate and relevant information on the scope and
causes of food wastage is essential. Estimates suggest that up
to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions result from wasted food.
Beyond the environmental implications of wasted land and water
resources, food losses have significance for food availability.
Food prices and availability may be affected