Food Waste from Farm to Fork: A Material Flow Analysis of Austria’s Food Supply Chain

Abstract

Food waste is a complex global issue with environmental, economic, and social consequences. Even though various efforts have been made to address this problem in Austria, there is a lack of consistent and comprehensive measurement of food waste across all stages of the food supply chain. This thesis addresses this gap by implementing a Material Flow Analysis to lay out and estimate food waste flows. Five stages of the food supply chain (primary production, processing & manufacturing, retail & distribution, household consumption, and consumption in food services) and six key food groups (fruits, vegetables, potatoes, meat, dairy, and eggs) are considered. The Material Flow Analysis framework is applied using Austrian Food Balance Sheets and literature-derived coefficients. Calculations are performed in Microsoft Excel, while the STAN software is used to visualize the results. The analysis is conducted at the national level, following the European Union’s definition of food waste wherever possible. Results show that food waste occurs at all stages of the supply chain, with households generating the largest share. Plant-based foods, particularly vegetables, fruits, and potatoes, are wasted more than animal-based products like meat, dairy, and eggs. This study adds value by promoting methodological transparency and highlighting key data gaps in Austria’s current food waste monitoring efforts. By identifying these shortcomings, it lays the groundwork for more accurate and standardized assessments in the future. The findings can help policymakers and researchers target intervention areas and improve data quality, both of which are essential for achieving Austria’s goals under Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.