ZAGREB, 3 Dec (Hina) - On average, 71 kg of food per capita is wasted annually in Croatia, the state secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Zdravko Tušek, said. This is below the EU average of 130 kg.

In Croatia, slightly over 286,000 tonnes of food are wasted annually, with households being the largest contributors, Tušek said after the first session of a working group monitoring the implementation of the Voluntary Agreement "Together Against Food Waste."

He recalled that last year, the ministry adopted an action plan for the prevention and reduction of food waste for the period 2023–28, aiming to reduce food waste by 30%.

The plan includes establishing partnerships with businesses, scientific institutions, municipalities, and cities.

The agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries was signed in March 2023 and has 45 signatories, including representatives of food producers and processors, retailers, the hospitality industry, the scientific and academic community, local governments, non-profit organisations, associations, and companies.

During the agreement's implementation, the signatories voluntarily commit to reducing food waste in their business processes, donating food, and communicating with consumers.

Tušek noted that this year saw the completion of an investment cycle in which over €4 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan was invested to equip nine food banks and 100 intermediaries with the necessary tools to ensure that food nearing its expiration date or donated food reaches those in need more efficiently and quickly.

He also emphasised the importance of spreading the message during Advent, a time when food purchases increase, urging consumers and food-related businesses to think and buy rationally and to donate surpluses.

Tušek highlighted the importance of education, especially for children and young people.