Food Loss and Waste Reduction in the Near East and North Africa
Data and measurement
Monitoring FLW levels is key for policy development and accountability. This entails identifying the loss and waste ‘hotspots’, estimating the extent of FLW, determining its causes, and quantifying the costs and benefits of FLW reduction measures to inform investments. FLW data and information is scarce in most NENA countries, and a major barrier for policymakers, agrifood system actors, innovators, and investors acting in a concerted manner. Regional knowledge and information exchange can help fill the data gap among NENA countries who share common agrifood system characteristics and challenges related to FLW.
Latest publications
Reducing food loss and waste in the Near East and North Africa – Producers, intermediaries and consumers as key decision-makers
2023
This study looks at FLW from an economic perspective, considering producers, intermediaries, and consumers as key decision-makers. It builds on the accumulated experience in the analysis of causes of FLW and solutions drawing on case studies from the Near East and North Africa.
Estimates of food losses and waste at each node of the wheat value chain in Morocco: Implications on food and energy security, natural resources, and greenhouse gas emissions
2022
This paper follows the life cycle framework to estimate the annual amount of wheat-based food lost or wasted from farm-to-fork in Morocco. It argues and provides empirical evidence that reducing FLW can be an effective strategy for food and energy security, and natural resource and environmental conservation.
Working paper- food loss in Morocco
2022
This study explores food loss in Morocco with focus on dates and soft wheat, how to promotes good practices along the entire value chain, and provides directions for policy development.
The State of Food Waste in West Asia
2021
This report analyzes the current situation of food waste across the West Asia region, in which around 34 per cent of the food served is wasted, with an estimation ranging from 100 to 150kg/cap of food waste occurring at the household stage. Countries in the region have unique features from their culture, religion, and history, leading to significant amounts of food waste.
Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste
Related links
Data and measurement
Food Loss and Waste Database
The food loss and waste database contains data and information from openly accessible databases, reports and studies measuring food loss and waste across food products, stages of the value chain, and geographical areas.