Holiday Ayo - More than one trillion US dollars worth of food is wasted annually worldwide. Ironically, this phenomenon occurs while hundreds of millions of people still live in hunger.

This problem presents a significant irony: while food supplies continue to be produced using expensive resources such as water, energy, and land, most of the food ends up in landfills.

When food waste decomposes, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes 8-10 percent of global emissions, according to the UNEP.

Although often associated with wealthy countries, food waste is a problem that transcends continents and economic classes.

According to the UNEP Food Waste Report 2024, here is a list of the 10 countries with the largest food waste in the world:

1. China

China tops the list with 108.6 million tons of food waste per year. With the world's largest population, the average Chinese citizen throws away 76 kg of food annually.

Despite intensified waste reduction campaigns, food waste remains a major challenge.

2. India

India wastes approximately 78.1 million tons of food annually. Per capita, India's food waste reaches 55 kg per person.

The lack of food storage and distribution infrastructure exacerbates this problem amidst high poverty rates.

3. United States

The US produces 24.7 million tons of food waste annually, with an average of 73 kg per capita. A culture of large portion sizes, consumer behavior, and overproduction make the United States one of the largest contributors to food waste in the world.

4. Brazil

Brazil wastes approximately 20.2 million tons of food annually. The per capita figure reaches 94 kg, one of the highest on this list.

Despite increasing public awareness, household and restaurant waste remains a major source.

5. Indonesia

Indonesia ranks fifth with 14.7 million tons of food waste per year. Each person throws away an average of 53 kg of food.

The causes range from unequal food distribution to low awareness of food waste management.

6. Germany

Despite being known for its strict environmental regulations, Germany still wastes 6.5 million tons of food annually, or around 78 kg per person.

Most of this waste comes from households and the retail sector.

7. Russia

Russia produces 4.8 million tons of food waste annually, with an average of 33 kg per person. Excessive consumption and improper storage are the drivers of this high food waste rate.

8. Philippines

The Philippines wastes 2.9 million tons of food annually, with an average of 26 kg per capita. Challenges such as a lack of storage facilities and a lack of consumer education exacerbate the situation.

9. South Africa

South Africa contributes 2.8 million tons of food waste annually. Each person wastes around 47 kg of food, although many citizens still experience food insecurity.

10. Ghana

Ghana records 2.8 million tons of food waste annually, with an average of 84 kg per capita, a relatively high figure.

Rapid urbanization and changing consumption patterns are the main drivers of the increase in food waste in the country.