In Saudi Arabia more than 33 percent of food is wasted, costing the Kingdom SR40 billion ($10.6 billion) annually, according to a study conducted by the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO). Each individual in the Kingdom wastes almost 184 kg of food each year.
As reported by Arab News Agency: "Targeting 19 food commodities divided into eight groups, the study revealed that 917,000 tons of flour and bread are wasted annually, as well as 557,000 tons of rice, 444,000 tons of poultry meat and more than 335,000 tons of vegetables."
The Kingdom has achieved a substantial leap in the rates of local production of agricultural and animal products this year as compared to previous years. For instance, milk and its derivatives account for '109 percent of local consumption'. Within the Kingdom, further improvements in all stages of food supply chains are being emphasized to minimize food waste.
The food continues to be wasted even though there have been public awareness campaigns and measures of containment. In collaboration with SAGO, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched a campaign to raise public awareness, sharing several tips and ideas on reducing food waste and making the most of leftovers.
In January, the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs issued a decree mandating all restaurants and wedding halls to contract with food banks to preserve excess food. Khiyrat (Donation), a food bank in Riyadh, collected and preserved about 1.8 million meals in 2019, and provided its services to about 676,000 families, said the News Agency. An overarching policy is mandatory to prevent any wastage of food, keeping in mind that everyday around world, hundreds of thousands die of starvation alone.