Food waste is a growing problem in Croatia

In Croatia, nearly 300,000 tonnes of food are thrown away each year, most of it in households. When food is discarded, so too are the money, energy, labour, and resources invested in its production.

Zdravko Tušek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, spoke about the issue of food waste, highlighting that the problem is closely linked to modern lifestyles.

“Unfortunately, food waste is a consequence of today’s fast-paced and hectic way of life. We often fail to consider how we obtain food and how we handle it, and the result is visible in the enormous quantities of waste,” Tušek said.

Research conducted in 2020 estimated that between 280,000 and 300,000 tons of food were discarded annually. More recent data from 2023 suggests that the figures are even higher, with updated statistics expected later this year.

At the level of the European Union, nearly 60 million tons of food are wasted each year—worth more than 130 billion euros.

“The disposal of this food alone costs an additional 10 billion euros,” Tušek emphasized.

He noted that the issue largely stems from habits and cultural attitudes.

“We live in a society where food is seen as a symbol of abundance, and people often feel the need to demonstrate that they have plenty. A dynamic lifestyle, impulsive shopping, and insufficient planning result in excessive food preparation—much of which is never consumed and ends up as waste,” he explained.

Meat and fish are among the most commonly discarded foods, followed by fruit and vegetables, while bakery products also make up a significant share.

“If we look at bakery products alone, nearly every fourth loaf of bread baked in Croatia ends up in the bin. That is truly alarming,” he said.

When asked how food waste can be reduced, Tušek pointed to measures already in place.

“For years, mechanisms to reduce food waste have been incorporated into both European and national policies. The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, is running awareness campaigns—including a current radio campaign—to encourage more responsible food consumption,” he said.