CLEMENTE GONZÁLEZ, JOSÉ IGNACIO, MONTERO SIMÓ, MARÍA JOSÉ, TORRES JIMÉNEZ, MERCEDES, MUÑOZ OCAÑA, YOLANDA
No
Revista de Economia Mundial
Article
Científica
4
2
01/01/2026
001757073000003
2-s2.0-105036804329
Food loss and waste (FLW) is a major global challenge with significant social, environmental, and economic impacts. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually, amounting to 1.3 billion tonnes. This study analyzes FLW variations across supply chain stages in developed and developing countries using the FAO 2022 database (21,736 observations, 149 countries). Inferential statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis tests) evaluates differences in FLW by stage and country development level. Results show higher FLW in developed countries (39.67%) than in developing ones (21.87%). Developed nations experience more waste in Distribution (10.0%) and Consumption (17.0%), while developing nations face losses in Agricultural Production (2.5%) and Postharvest Handling. Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions: infrastructure and technology enhancements in developing nations, and policy-driven consumer behavior changes in developed ones. Solutions include improved supply chain transparency, AI-driven demand forecasting, food donation programs, and consumer awareness campaigns. This research advances FLW understanding and informs policies for their elimination. Future studies should refine quantification methods, assess policy impacts, and explore technological solutions to mitigate FLW's environmental and economic effects.
Food loss; food waste; food supply chain; developed and developing countries; Sustainable Development Goal