Empirical Analysis of Food Losses and Waste in Ukraine

At each stage of the food chain, the cost of food losses differs significantly. Also, they are significantly differentiated depending on the type of products and the region, which requires different approaches to solving this problem. The purpose of our research is to assess the degree of impact of food losses and waste at each of the stages of the food chain in their total volume for a specific type of product. The empirical research was conducted using primary sources and secondary data. Primary sources were used to calculate food losses and waste according to the FAO methodology. Secondary data were used for correlation and regression analysis. According to the results of the correlation and regression analysis, the assumption of relationship absence is not confirmed, all factors are significant. It was established that the greatest impact on the volume of food losses and waste per person occurs at the stages of production and consumption, except potatoes and vegetables – the greatest impact on the amount of food losses in these groups is caused by losses at the stage of delivery and sale, at the same time food losses at the stage of handling and storage have the least impact on the performance indicator – physical restriction of access to food. The results of this empirical study are a necessary condition for making appropriate management decisions regarding the implementation of measures to achieve SDG 2, 12 in Ukraine.