A study on food losses and waste in the Estonian food supply chain was conducted in 2020-2021 including all stages of the food supply chain (households, catering institutions, food trade companies, food industry and primary production).

The results of the study indicate that approximately 167,000 tonnes of food waste are generated in total per year. Almost half of this amount is generated in households, while the food industry is responsible for 19% of the total food waste amount, primary production for 14%, the retail sector for 12% and the catering sector for 6%.

Avoidable food waste constitutes about half of the total amount of food wasted. Households have the largest share in avoidable food waste (41%), while the food industry has the lowest share (4%).

The total value of food wasted at all the stages of the food supply chain is estimated at €164 million per year.

The report of the study [ET] can be found in the link below – a summary in EN is also available:
>> A study on food losses and waste in the Estonian food supply chain

© Ministry of the Environment; Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre; Estonian University of Life Sciences