Food waste was projected to cost $540 billion globally in 2026. It is a major but avoidable financial loss rather than just a sustainability issue.  Research from Avery Dennison, and the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows that waste can equal up to one-third of revenue. This is driven by inefficiencies across the supply chain, especially in perishable goods such as poultry, fresh produce, and dairy products. It also argues that waste is not inevitable, however it is caused by poor system designs. While regulations are increasing accountability, real progress requires better collaboration, shared data, and technology to improve coordination. In the end, reducing food waste is a significant business opportunity to recover lost value, improve efficiency, and strengthen our food system.

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/why-food-waste-540-billion-business-opportunity-hiding-plain-sight/ https://www.averydennison.com/en/home/unlocking-food-waste-value-report.html