Saudi Arabia Urges Rational Behavior to Reduce Meat Waste During Ramadan
In a call for action, authorities in Saudi Arabia are urging the public to exhibit “rational behavior” when breaking their fast during Ramadan in order to combat the significant amount of meat wasted in the Kingdom during the holy month.
Challenges for the Agricultural Sector
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has expressed concern over the large quantities of meat that end up in landfills and dumps during Ramadan, posing challenges for the agricultural sector.
Alarming Statistics on Food Waste
Studies have revealed that the average person in Saudi Arabia wastes over 184 kilograms of food annually, totaling about 4 million tons nationwide. This results in the loss of 18.9% of all food, costing the country more than SR40 billion ($10.7 billion) each year. Experts attribute this trend to a decline in public awareness of food waste.
Meat Waste Figures
According to Ministry data, Saudi Arabia wastes 444,000 tons of poultry meat, 22,000 tons of lamb, 13,000 tons of camel meat, 69,000 tons of fish, and 41,000 tons of other types of meat annually.
Encouraging Sustainable Consumption
Officials are calling on the public to be more mindful of the importance of reducing meat waste and to adopt more rational consumption habits to tackle the challenge, achieve sustainable development goals, and preserve natural resources.
Initiatives to Raise Awareness
The ministry has introduced various initiatives aimed at raising awareness about food waste issues and promoting more sustainable consumer behaviors. These initiatives include educational campaigns on ways to reduce and preserve meat, as well as strategies for minimizing waste through improved storage and refrigeration practices.