Saudi Arabia launches survey on food waste estimated at SR40 billion

Cairo: Saudi authorities have launched a survey to determine food waste rates in the kingdom as part of their efforts to promote sustainability.

The second field survey, unveiled by the Saudi General Food Security Authority (GFSA), builds on a 2019 survey.

GFSA Governor Ahmed Al Fares said the new survey also builds on a series of awareness efforts carried out by the affiliated National Programme for Reducing Food Loss and Waste programme in cooperation with other authorities, which have generated interaction from all categories of Saudi society.

The second survey, he argued, aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the amount of food loss and waste across all stages of the food chain, starting with local production and import, through transportation, preservation and distribution, and until the consumption stage.

GFSA aims to transform the collected data into practical solutions to strengthen the food security system in the kingdom and mitigate environmental, economic, and social impacts.

“The project will also provide such detailed and updated measurements that the Authority will be able to develop more effective strategies to enhance sustainability and reduce food loss and waste,” Al Fares said in media remarks.

Annual food waste surpasses 184kg per person in Saudi Arabia, with the overall value of such waste estimated at a staggering SR40 billion per year.

Last year, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said rice, flour and bread account for the highest rates among food items wasted in the country.

Rice leads the food waste with 34 per cent of the total, followed by flour and bread with combined 30 per cent, according to a breakdown.

Experts blame the waste on preparing excessive amounts of food greater than the actual needs.