EU Food Waste Totaled 57.9 Million Tonnes in 2024
Households generated over half of the waste as total discard rates climbed across the region.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Do you feel a personal responsibility to reduce the amount of food waste your household generates?
In 2024, the European Union generated 57.9 million tonnes of food waste, marking a 0.7% increase compared to 2023. This total amounts to 129 kilograms of waste per person.
Why it matters
Rising waste levels highlight ongoing challenges in food management for households and the food service industry. Understanding where this waste originates can help individuals refine their consumption habits.
Official government figures show that the total volume of food waste in the EU rose to 57.9 million tonnes in 2024, compared to 57.5 million tonnes the previous year. It remains unknown what portion of this increase is attributed specifically to edible food rather than unavoidable inedible scraps.
The players
European Union
An international political and economic union that tracks regional sustainability and waste management metrics.
The details
Food waste is defined as the collection of both edible and inedible parts of food items. Households were the largest contributors, accounting for 53% of the total, while the manufacture of food products and beverages contributed 19%. Restaurants and food services accounted for 12%, with primary production and retail/distribution sectors making up the remaining shares.
Timeline
2023: The EU generated 57.5 million tonnes of food waste.
2024: Total EU food waste rose to 57.9 million tonnes.
Health Landscape
These figures provide a benchmark against the targets set by the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. The data illustrates a struggle to align consumption patterns with the regional objective of significantly reducing food waste across all supply chain levels.
Since households account for over half of all food waste, focusing on meal planning and proper storage is a practical way to manage your contribution to this trend. If you have concerns about the environmental impact of your household food choices, it is worth discussing sustainable shopping practices with local community health experts.
The takeaway
With 129 kilograms of waste per person in the EU, food management remains a critical issue for sustainability. Consider auditing your weekly pantry and refrigerator inventory to identify patterns of over-purchasing or spoilage that lead to unnecessary waste.
Further reading
For tips on reducing household waste and choosing sustainable products, visit Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by European Commission.
Live Poll
Do you feel a personal responsibility to reduce the amount of food waste your household generates?
