NIS 6.4 billion
How Much Food Can Be Rescued?
Approximately 35% of food produced in Israel is lost or wasted during the production, distribution, and consumption stages, totaling at approximately 2.5 million tons annually. The direct cost of food waste in Israel is NIS 19.1 billion, which constitutes 1.4% of the GNP. When taking into account the cost of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions resulting from food waste, the total cost of food waste amounts to approximately NIS 21 billion. Of this, about 50% is rescuable food fit for human consumption.
In terms of food rescue, the central component is unconsumed edible food (fit for consumption with nutritional value and health benefits). There are various reasons why waste occurs in each value stage of the production chain. The common denominator is the lack of economic viability for food producers (farmers, manufacturers, retailers, etc.) to invest additional resources in the next stages of production and distribution.
Reducing food waste, whether by preventing waste production or rescuing surpluses, is a top global priority. The estimated amount of rescuable food is derived from a value chain model designed specifically for the food industry. Every type of wasted food at each stage of the value chain was analyzed and classified as rescuable or un-rescuable (unfit for consumption).
It is important to note that when food is classified as rescuable this does not take into account the economic viability of rescuing the food, but refers to the safety of its consumption and the technical capability of using the wasted food to feed people.
Value of Rescuable Food in the Food Chain (In NIS millions, rounded for ease of presentation)
Estimated Rescuable Food in Israel, Throughout the Value Chain, in Thousands of Tons
