Food loss at 4.64 million tons, a record low | Business-related loss falls below household-related for the first time

The food loss estimate for FY2023 (Reiwa 5) released by the Ministry of the Environment was4.64 million tons, updating the lowest figure since statistics began. But what deserves more attention than the number is the change in the breakdown. Business-sector food loss (companies, restaurants, etc.) came to2.31 million tons, falling below the household sector (2.33 million tons) for the first time. The efforts accumulated in the production, distribution, and processing fields have finally shown in the numbers.

A "historic turning point" as the business sector fell below the household sector for the first time

It decreased by 80,000 tons from 4.72 million tons the previous fiscal year (Reiwa 4), a reduction rate of 1.7% year on year. It may look modest, but the business sector alone advanced at 2.1% year on year, outpacing the household sector (down 1.3%).

Within the business sector, food manufacturing accounts for the largest share at 1.08 million tons (47%). In this industry, cross-industry efforts such as effective use of out-of-spec vegetables and yield improvement in the manufacturing process are advancing. Considering that 10 years ago in FY2015 (Heisei 27) it was 6.46 million tons, a reduction of over 28% can be called a remarkable achievement.

Only "2.2 points" remain to the 2030 target

The 2030 reduction target the Japanese government sets is a60% reductionfor the business sector versus FY2000 (5.47 million tons). As of FY2023, the reduction rate has reached 57.8%, with 2.2 points remaining to the target. Achieving the target has come into view ahead of the household sector (target of halving, currently a 46.1% reduction).

Behind the progress in business-sector reduction are improved ordering accuracy at convenience store chains, reduced raw-material loss in food manufacturing, and strengthened disposal management at restaurant chains. The increase in companies seriously working on SDGs compliance is also one factor that pushed the numbers down.

Using out-of-spec vegetables is the "hidden star" of reduction

Within food loss reduction, what is not much discussed but important is "using out-of-spec vegetables." In the production process of agricultural produce, a certain volume of vegetables that do not meet appearance or size standards arises. By drying and processing such out-of-spec vegetables into powder or dried vegetables, produce that would have gone to disposal is reborn as value-added products.

Dried processing has high preservability and low transport cost, so it benefits all three of farmers, processors, and food manufacturers. In fact, cases developed asUpcycled foodsare increasing, and balancing food loss reduction with business viability is advancing.

Organizing the relationship between out-of-spec vegetables and food loss, dried processing can be called one of the most realistic options as a solution. As long as food manufacturing bears 47% of business-sector food loss reduction, along with rethinking the manufacturing process, efforts to reduce waste from the raw-material sourcing stage are being called for.

The "habit of stocking preserved vegetables" works to lower the household sector

While the business sector leads, reduction in the household sector (2.33 million tons) leaves issues. In the breakdown of household food loss, "direct disposal (discarded unopened)" is the largest at 1 million tons (43%), followed by "leftovers" at 970,000 tons (41%) and "excessive removal" at 360,000 tons (16%).

To reduce direct disposal, the habit of buying ingredients in amounts you can use up and making use of highly preservable ingredients is effective.Dried vegetablescan be stored long at room temperature and taken out only in the amount you want to use, so it directly links to reducing household food loss.

The figure of 4.64 million tons of food loss is certainly falling. But converted per person, that is37 kilogramsa year, meaning about 100 grams of food discarded every day. If household ingenuity is added to the business sector's efforts, achieving the 2030 target becomes more certain.

References:Ministry of the Environment, "On the Release of the Estimated Food Loss Generation Volume in Japan (FY2023)"｜Circular Economy Hub, "Japan's food loss falls to a record-low 4.64 million tons"