Our food waste has decreased by a third in the last 8 years

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 09. 29. 12:32

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The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) has been investigating the food waste production of domestic households for the eighth year. Based on the results of the 2024 survey, there is an encouraging improvement: we waste a third less food compared to 2016. While eight years ago, an average of 33.1 kilograms per person was unnecessarily thrown away per year, this amount has now decreased to 21.5 kilograms. Despite the improving results, household food waste remains significant: 206 thousand tons per year. Data collection will continue this year, for which Nébih is already waiting for applicants.

During the survey conducted in November and December 2024, the research summarized the data of 260 households and more than 700 consumers. According to the results, a Hungarian produces an average of 59.7 kilograms of food waste per year, 36% of which could be prevented, i.e. waste. This amount would be enough to feed 380,000 people for a year, which is nearly HUF 160,000 of unnecessary expenditure per year for a family of four. Household food waste therefore shows a decreasing trend in the long term, with a third less food being thrown away compared to 2016.

The list of the most frequently wasted foods has not changed for years, with ready-made meals still leading the way (8.7 kg/person/year), but this has decreased by 4.5 kilos compared to 2016. Vegetables and fruits are in second place on the list with a quantity of 4.5 kg per person, and baked goods were in third place in 2024 (2.8 kg/person/year). The most common causes of waste include forgotten or spoiled food and excessive shopping or cooking. It is still positive that nearly half of households compost, and 83% of those surveyed believe they can further reduce their own waste production.

The improvement is due to the new generation that is increasingly thinking in a sustainable way, the transformation of eating habits, and the attitude-shaping work of the Nébih Maradék felő program that has been going on for years.