UAE launches national study to measure food loss, waste

ne’ma—the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative — has launched the country's first National Baseline Study to measure actual food loss and waste.

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This first-of-its-kind study, which involves 3,000 participants, marks a pivotal milestone in national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3.

The pioneering 18-month study will measure actual food loss and waste across the entire food value chain, through the participation of households, businesses, and public sector entities, across all seven Emirates.

The study's findings will be unveiled by ne'ma during the first half of 2026.

Insights from the study will be used to establish national food loss and food waste indices and inform evidence-based intervention strategies.

The study also lays the foundation for systemic change and strengthens national efforts to ensure food security and sustainability.

The study is the result of a coordinated national effort, bringing together strategic partners including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Aldar, with additional support from the local municipalities and authorities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistics centres across the UAE.

Following extensive preparation and stakeholder engagement since September 2024, the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is now underway.