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Quantifying Food Loss and Waste in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Zaid Alshabanat

    (National Program for the Reduction of Food Loss and Waste, Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulrahman Alkhorayef

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hedi Ben Haddad

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Imed Mezghani

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdessalem Gouider

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Adel Tlili

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed. A. Allouche

    (College of Business Administration, Northern Border University, Arar 9280, Saudi Arabia)

  • Kais A. Gannouni

    (College of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 12343, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Using the FAO model calculations proposed by Gustavsson et al. (2013) and FAO (2014), food loss and waste (FLW) is measured in Saudi Arabia with a special focus on wheat, rice, dates, poultry, vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat. Results show that the overall FLW rate is 33.1%, where the food loss rate is 14.2%, and the food waste rate is 18.9%. Acceding to the disaggregated results, we find that FLW rates are distributed as follows: 29.7% for wheat, 33.6% for rice, 21.4%, for dates 29.1% for poultry, 39.5% for vegetables, 39.6% for fruits, 33% for fish, and 31.3% for meat. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 12.3) target is to reduce the rates of food loss and waste by 50% in 2030, and to help achieve that goal, we employed a nonlinear optimisation simulation model with the objective function of reducing FLW by 50% over the period 2020–2030. Based on the findings achieved, recommendations are made to cover the various aspects of the whole food supply chain (FSC) and to aim at more efficiency and higher levels of productivity. Our findings have significant implications by estimating the FLW baseline indicator and providing the different stakeholders of FSC with the optimal actions to do to reduce FLW rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Zaid Alshabanat & Abdulrahman Alkhorayef & Hedi Ben Haddad & Imed Mezghani & Abdessalem Gouider & Adel Tlili & Mohamed. A. Allouche & Kais A. Gannouni, 2021. "Quantifying Food Loss and Waste in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:9444-:d:619761
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexander, Peter & Brown, Calum & Arneth, Almut & Finnigan, John & Moran, Dominic & Rounsevell, Mark D.A., 2017. "Losses, inefficiencies and waste in the global food system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 190-200.
    2. Buzby, Jean C. & Hyman, Jeffrey, 2012. "Total and per capita value of food loss in the United States," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 561-570.
    3. Affognon, Hippolyte & Mutungi, Christopher & Sanginga, Pascal & Borgemeister, Christian, 2015. "Unpacking Postharvest Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 49-68.
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    Cited by:

    1. Li Jia & Jing Zhang & Guanghua Qiao, 2022. "Scale and Environmental Impacts of Food Loss and Waste in China—A Material Flow Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Anna Sylwia Tarczyńska & Ewa Malinowska & Andrzej Urbanowicz, 2023. "Attitudes and Behaviours of Young Consumers towards Wasting Food: Case Study Based on Polish Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Mirza Barjees Baig & Bader Alhafi Alotaibi & Khodran Alzahrani & David Pearson & Ghedeir M. Alshammari & Ashfaq Ahmad Shah, 2022. "Food Waste in Saudi Arabia: Causes, Consequences, and Combating Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.

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