A shocking revelation has emerged about Greece's food waste situation, which is now a pressing issue that demands our attention.
Greece, a country known for its rich culinary heritage, is among the top food wasters in Europe. With over 2 million tons of food ending up in the trash annually, it's a stark contrast to the 7% of the population facing food insecurity, according to ELSTAT.
Eurostat's recent data paints a concerning picture, revealing Greece's per capita food waste rate as the third-highest in the EU. In 2023, Greece discarded a staggering 201 kilograms of food per person, significantly higher than the EU average of 130 kg.
But here's where it gets controversial: the new EU framework directive on food waste (1892/2025) sets ambitious targets to reduce food waste by 10% in processing and manufacturing, and by 30% per capita in retail and consumption by 2030. With food waste on the rise, meeting these targets seems increasingly challenging for Greece.
The 2023 data shows a worrying trend, with Greece discarding 2.09 million tons of food, an increase from previous years. Households contribute significantly, throwing away over 920,000 tons, which equates to 89 kg of food waste per capita annually. The manufacturing sector is also a major contributor, accounting for 23% of the waste.
And this is the part most people miss: the combined food waste from primary production and processing amounts to 70 kg per capita, while food service and retail channels contribute 43 kg per capita.
In 2020, Greece's food waste stood at 191 kg per capita, increasing to 193 kg in 2021 and 196 kg in 2022. Only Cyprus and Denmark have higher per capita food waste rates.
Overall, households are responsible for 53% of food waste in the EU, with the remaining waste coming from the food production and distribution chain. In 2023, a total of 58.2 million tons of food were discarded across the European Union.
This issue raises important questions: How can we reduce food waste and ensure a more sustainable future? What steps can individuals, businesses, and governments take to address this growing concern? Share your thoughts and let's spark a conversation about finding solutions to this pressing environmental and social challenge.
