South Africa has the capacity to produce enough food to feed its population, yet millions still face hunger due to significant food waste. According to recent research, an estimated 10.3 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, with 19% of that amount being fresh produce. Much of this loss occurs during harvesting, transportation, and marketing, often due to poor handling practices and insufficient infrastructure.
Experts in agri-food systems emphasize that cold storage plays a crucial role in reducing waste. Proper storage conditions can extend the shelf life of perishable goods, ensuring they reach consumers before spoiling. However, many farmers and distributors lack access to adequate refrigeration facilities, leading to unnecessary losses.
The issue highlights a gap between production and distribution. While the country produces enough food, inefficiencies in the supply chain result in large-scale waste. Addressing this requires investment in infrastructure and better logistics.
Without improvements, the problem of food waste is likely to persist, affecting both food security and economic stability.
