Cyprus records the highest per capita food waste in the European Union

Cyprus has been identified as having the highest per capita food waste among European Union member states for 2024. According to Eurostat data released on September 29, 2026, the country produced 295 kilograms of food waste per person, significantly exceeding the EU average of 129 kilograms.

Sector-specific data reveals that households contributed 78 kilograms per capita compared to the EU average of 69 kilograms, while the food and beverage industry generated 73 kilograms against the EU average of 25. Retail and distribution sectors recorded 62 kilograms per capita, far higher than the 10-kilogram EU average. Restaurants and primary production also significantly surpassed union averages. These statistics highlight a critical challenge for national waste management, as authorities are now expected to implement measures to align with European sustainability targets. In total, the EU produced 57.9 million tonnes of food waste in 2024, a slight increase from the 57.5 million tonnes recorded in 2023.