WWF publication “Kleine Makel- Große Folgen. Nahrungsmittelverschwendung am Beispiel der Kartoffel”

Overview

In Germany, around 60 kilograms of potatoes per person per year are consumed, usually in a processed form such as french fries or chips. Nevertheless, the handling of this food is not particularly appreciative. According to the latest WWF estimates, around 1.5 million tons of potatoes are lost every year on their way from the field to the plate. That is the equivalent of 60,000 lorries with a filling weight of 25 tons. Of the 1.5 million tons of potatoes wasted, around half leave the value chain immediately after harvesting. The reasons for this are the trade quality requirements for potatoes for human consumption. In close cooperation with potato grower Carsten Niemann (Biokartoffel-Nord), the publication “Kleine Makel – Große Folgen. Nahrungsmittelverschwendung am Beispiel der Kartoffel ” by the WWF examines the trade requirements on which the losses are based and the effects on both potato farmers and the environment.