Reducing waste can boost food security

According to the OECD, perishable food such as fruits and vegetables show high postharvest losses in China, estimated at 15 percent and 10 percent of food wasted nationally respectively. This, and the fact that only a small percentage of fruits and vegetables are processed, contributes to the high losses. However, statistics are not always very reliable. For example, for potatoes, some studies indicate that the postharvest physical waste is 20 percent, while others claim only 7 percent, a huge difference.

Geographically, there are higher postharvest losses in north China compared with the south. According to a survey by the State Administration of Grain, the average household grain storage losses in northeastern provinces are 10.2 percent, in northwestern provinces they are 8.8 percent, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River they are 7.4 percent, and in the Yellow River-Huaihe-Haihe Plain they are 5 percent. This difference can be explained by many factors, including climatic conditions and planting practices. More cold storage and better road infrastructure will reduce postharvest losses over time.

Meanwhile, with the increasing affluence of Chinese consumers, food waste at the consumption stage is steadily increasing. However, the majority of food waste at this stage occurs in restaurants, not by households, unlike in the developed world. In the catering and restaurant sectors, 10 percent of food is wasted on average. Many times, over-ordering, regarded as a sign of respect and generosity to guests, leads to unnecessary food waste.

The Chinese leadership has placed a high priority on food security. Its achievement can be significantly assisted by progressively ensuring that the food that is produced and imported is actually eaten and not wasted. China does not have much land and water to increase its food production significantly. Therefore, a comprehensive framework that reduces food waste and ensures food security will be beneficial over the long term for China and the world.

Cecilia Tortajada is senior research fellow at the Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Matthew J. Kastner is a graduate student at the same University. Asit K. Biswas is a distinguished visiting professor at the above School.