1. Food waste: South African statistics
Presentation by Prof Suzan Oelofse
Research Group Leader: Waste for Development
Competency Area: Solutions for a Green Economy
Operating Unit: Natural Resources and the Environment

2. Defining food waste
Food produced for human consumption that is not eaten by humans is considered to be food waste
The estimates include only the edible portion of food
© CSIR

3. Municipal waste composition
© CSIR

4. Estimated food waste throughout the supply chain in SA
31.1 million tonnes
© CSIR

5. Estimated food wastage in SA by commodity group
Milk and eggs
© CSIR

6. Conclusions
Food waste statistics are estimations only due to lack of data
Losses and waste occur throughout the value chain
Food with shortest shelf life is most wasted (fruit & vegetables)
Food waste can be reduced by awareness
© CSIR

7. Thank You