An analysis of the efficiency of the UK food system

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the UK's food supplies in order to indicate the size of the problem of food losses and therefore to illustrate the potential savings.The energy and protein value of the food leaving UK farms and ports for consumption in the UK is estimated to be: Energy: 385 J × 10⁵ per annum Protein: 3·2 million tonnes per annum By comparison the energy and protein needs of the entire UK population are: Energy: 200 J × 10¹⁵ per annum Protein: 1·2 million tonnes per annumThe UK food system is losing a considerable proportion of the food material which is available for consumption in the UK. Much of this loss occurs during the primary processing prior to the food ‘moving into consumption’. The loss at this stage amounts to: Energy: 116 J × 10¹⁵ per annum Protein: 1·5 million tonnes per annumThe authors discuss the implications of this loss of efficiency and give generalised reasons for its occurrence.