REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia ranks fourth for the highest level of food waste in the world, at 20.94 million metric tons, according to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) or United Nations Environment Programme for 2020. The problem is becoming even more precarious as food waste is projected to increase by up to 31 percent by 2030.

Globally, as much as 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year. Equivalent to the angle of food produced for consumption by the world community (FAO). Meanwhile, food waste generation in Indonesia reaches 23-48 million per year, equivalent to 115-184 kilograms/capita/year, according to the 2021 Bappenas study. This then has an impact on greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to 1702.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) or the equivalent of 7.29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia.

“This is such a big problem. "Because apart from emitting greenhouse gas emissions, food waste also has an impact on the economy," said Deputy for Food Insecurity and Nutrition at the National Food Agency, Nyoto Suwignyo, in a press conference at DBS Tower on Wednesday (18/10/2023).

Nyoto said that food loss/waste (FLW) causes Indonesia to lose IDR 213 – 551 trillion per year, which is equivalent to 4-5 percent of Indonesia's GDP. The biggest economic loss occurs at the food waste (FW) stage, amounting to IDR 107-346 trillion annually. When compared with food loss, the incidence of FW over 20 years tends to increase, from 39 percent in 2000 to 55 percent in 2019, with an average of 44 percent.