LEVEL OF FOOD LOSSES AND WASTE IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN POLANDLEVEL OF FOOD LOSSES AND WASTE IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN POLAND

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to show the results of the studies of food losses, as conducted in Poland in 2019, and to estimate the amount of the food waste at the level of the primary (agricultural) production in Poland during the period of 2017-2018. Also, the differences between the food losses and food waste, based upon the current definitions and legal regulations obligatory in Poland and in the European Union, were indicated. The studies of the food losses in the primary production were carried out at the territory of the whole Poland on the representative sample of 1,378 respondents from six sectors of economy, with the utilization of survey-questionnaire, by PAPI (Paper& Pen Personal Interview) method. The mass of the food waste was estimated on the grounds of the results of food losses and wastage, with the consideration of the methods of management, excluding destination for the consumption purposes or for animal feeds. From the conducted studies it is followed that the directions of management of the food losses in the primary (agricultural) production are different and are greatly dependent on the sector, i.e. type of the managed raw material, the causes of the resulting losses and the stage of production where the mentioned losses are generated. The food losses in the agricultural production constitute 15% of total food losses in Poland, i.e. 749.48 thousand tonnes annually whereas the food waste are estimated at the level of 507.94 thousand tonnes per year. The appropriate management of the losses in accordance with the hierarchy of proceeding with the waste reduces the quantity of the waste, decreasing, in effect, a negative impact on the environment.