UAE Initiates Data Collection For First National Food Loss And Waste Baseline Study

The UAE has embarked on its inaugural National Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, spearheaded by ne’ma in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistics centres. From 8th to 21st September, field teams gathered primary data on household food waste, while businesses contributed their data via the ne’ma hub. This initiative marks the first large-scale direct waste analysis at source in the UAE.

Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation, stated, "This nationwide fieldwork is an essential step in building a data-driven foundation to measure, monitor, and execute the targeted strategies based on evidence to reduce food loss and waste across the UAE." The study aims to assess food loss and waste levels through a unified approach involving government, private sector, and public stakeholders.

The success of this data collection phase was due to close coordination between FCSC and local statistics centres. Their involvement ensures statistical credibility and national representation by validating sample sizes using scientific methodologies. They also ensure compliance with national survey protocols, including quality control and ethical standards. This collaboration consolidates local data into a unified federal dataset for national indices.

Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of FCSC, emphasised the importance of statistical accuracy: "Our role is to ensure the highest levels of statistical accuracy and reliability, delivering results that are nationally representative and globally comparable." This effort positions the UAE as a global leader in sustainability.

The baseline study captures both quantitative scale and qualitative causes of food loss from farms to households. It covers all stages of the value chain: production, import, processing, distribution, retail, and consumption. The gathered data will help develop official indices for food loss and waste in the UAE. It will also identify geographic patterns in waste generation to support evidence-based solutions.

Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi from MOCCAE highlighted the study’s significance: "The UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is a cornerstone in supporting the National Food Security Strategy 2051." The Ministry aims to raise awareness about sustainable consumption patterns through this initiative.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

The study aligns with international frameworks developed by FAO and UNEP. As part of its commitment to SDG 12.3—halving per capita food waste by 2030—the Ministry focuses on reducing food loss through education around sustainable consumption patterns. Ne’ma plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals.

The final results will be released in early 2026. These findings will guide new initiatives supporting the UAE’s 2030 reduction targets for food loss and waste. The study involves over 25 federal entities including MOCCAE, ADAFSA, Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, DECCA, Aldar among others.

With inputs from WAM