Tackling the hidden crisis of food waste for a sustainable Bangladesh

Over the past 40 years, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in feeding its people. Rice production alone has soared from 13.6 million tonnes in 1980 to 40.6 million tonnes in 2024, while the outputs of potatoes, maize, fish, dairy, and meat have also risen sharply. These gains reflect the country's agricultural innovation, hard work and resilience.

However, behind these impressive numbers lies a grim reality: Much of the food grown never reaches the table. Fruits, vegetables and even staples like rice are often lost due to poor storage, inefficient supply chains and post-harvest spoilage.

Food loss is more than a technical challenge; it is a matter of food security, economic prudence and environmental responsibility. Every grain that goes to waste represents lost labour, water, fertiliser, and money, while also adding to greenhouse gas emissions. 

As Bangladesh continues to expand its agricultural production, reducing food waste must become as vital as growing more crops. Only by confronting this hidden crisis can the country ensure that its hard work truly nourishes the millions who depend on it.

Post-harvest losses remain a major challenge across South Asia, particularly among SAARC member countries. In this region, an estimated 20% to 44% of fruit and vegetables are lost after harvest due to poor infrastructure, handling, storage, and transport. 

Globally, around 13.2% of food is lost between harvest and retail, with losses of perishable items such as fruit and vegetables reaching up to 40% in developing nations. These losses not only undermine food security but also hinder economic growth and exacerbate environmental pressures.

Bangladesh loses or wastes almost 11 million tonnes of household food every year. Fruit and vegetables are hit the hardest, with more than 40% spoiling before they can be eaten. Potatoes face an annual storage shortfall of around 8 million tonnes, while rice, the nation's staple, loses over 10% after harvest. Such wastage carries serious economic, ecological and social consequences.

Lost rice alone represents more than $2.4 billion in annual economic losses, while the energy, water, fertiliser, and labour invested in its production are also wasted. Environmentally, these losses generate nearly 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and 3 million tonnes of methane each year, further fueling the climate crisis.

The human cost is no less alarming. Bangladesh faces a double burden of malnutrition: millions of children continue to suffer from stunting and micronutrient deficiencies in zinc, iodine and vitamin D, while urban populations are increasingly affected by obesity, diabetes and diet-related cardiovascular diseases. 

As of 2024, around 13.9 million adults in Bangladesh are living with diabetes, representing about 13.2% of the adult population. 

The contrast is stark: While some citizens subsist on nutrient-poor diets, others overconsume or waste food, exacerbating both malnutrition and preventable disease.

Food loss and waste occur at every stage of the supply chain. On farms, inadequate harvesting methods, poor equipment, and a lack of training reduce both the quantity and quality of produce. During transport, the absence of cold storage and refrigerated vehicles forces farmers to sell perishables quickly — often at throwaway prices — or watch them rot. Weak market infrastructure, poor packaging, and insufficient grading practices further exacerbate these losses.

Even at the household level, poor planning, careless storage, and cultural attitudes toward abundance lead to significant waste. For instance, Bangladesh produces over 826,000 tonnes of bananas each year, yet around 21.7% — approximately 179,000 tonnes — are lost due to improper handling.

Addressing food loss and waste is not merely a technical or economic issue; it is a moral imperative. Farmers work tirelessly to feed the nation, yet letting food rot in fields, during transport, in markets, or at home undermines their efforts and deprives the hungry. Solutions must be multi-pronged. Investments in cold storage, modern packaging, and efficient transport can save millions of tonnes of food each year. 

Farmers require training in improved harvesting, handling, and post-harvest management practices. Awareness campaigns can encourage households to plan meals, buy responsibly, and store food correctly. Retailers and restaurants must also adopt strategies to minimise waste, including redistributing surplus food to those in need.

Globally, food loss and waste remain a major challenge. In 2022, the world wasted over 1 billion tonnes of food — around 132 kilograms per person, or nearly one in every five meals that could have been consumed. Households accounted for the majority of this waste (60%), while restaurants and food services contributed 28%, and retail stores 12%. If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Countries such as India and Malaysia have introduced legislative measures to tackle the problem. India's Compulsory Food Waste Reduction Bill and Malaysia's Food Loss and Waste Act aim to curb national food loss and waste through policy enforcement, incentives, and awareness programmes. Bangladesh could similarly benefit from a national framework that promotes responsible practices, ensures surplus food reaches those in need, and strengthens accountability across the supply chain.

The theme of World Food Day 2025, 'Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,' is particularly relevant for Bangladesh. Collaboration at every level — farmers, policymakers, retailers, consumers, and civil society — is essential to ensure that food is used efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. 

By working together, Bangladesh can safeguard its agricultural achievements, promote inclusive food systems, reduce environmental impact, and enhance nutrition for all citizens. Such collective effort is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.

Food is more than mere nourishment; it represents dignity, opportunity, and hope. Wasting food is not only an economic and environmental failure but also a social and ethical one. Every grain of rice, every kilogram of vegetables, every meal matters. 

If Bangladesh addresses the crisis of food loss and waste with determination, it can transform its agricultural achievements into meaningful nutrition, equity, and sustainability. Hand in hand, we can ensure that every meal contributes to a healthier, more prosperous, and more equitable future, leaving no one behind.

Sketch: TBS

Dr Md Harunur Rashid is a Director at SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.