The Swedish Agricultural Agency’s report details the losses of various raw materials, along with the economic and climate impacts they cause – and how to prevent these losses.
The Swedish Agricultural Agency’s final report on food losses, based on studies from 2020-2022, estimates that approximately 450,000 tons of food raw materials per year do not leave farms, boats, packaging plants, mills, and slaughterhouses to become food, according to Jorbruksaktuelt.
The total amount of food losses from the entire food production is even greater, the report estimates. Losses mean missed revenues and unnecessary climate impact. The results in the final report are based on eight sub-reports. They cover the production of beef, pork, milk, wheat, potatoes, carrots, strawberries, fish, and seafood.
The final report reveals that in terms of quantity, the losses of vegetables are greater than those of animal products. However, animal products, especially beef, cause greater climate impact in terms of food losses. Losses of beef, pork, and milk in primary production have the same climate impact as nine percent of the entire animal production’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The final report presents food losses in weight, share of production, as well as the economic losses and climate impact they generate. The importance of a more resource-efficient food production is discussed. The report also proposes ten areas of action and looks ahead to what needs to be done for more food to be produced.
Read the full article in Jordbruksaktuelt HERE