First 2025 Study on Retail Food Waste in Guatemala

GS1 Guatemala, in partnership with WWF Mesoamerica, has released the first national study on food waste in Guatemala's retail sector. This landmark publication provides the first data-driven benchmark for understanding supermarket food loss in the country and lays the foundation for future reduction efforts.

About the Study

The research analysed information from:

2 leading supermarket chains
Approximately 250 stores across 20 departments
Representing around 50% of the national supermarket market

Data was categorised across 9 major food groups to help identify trends and priority action areas.

Takeaways:

The study reveals that:

0.99% of supermarket food volume is lost
- Equivalent to nearly 1 quetzal lost per 100 quetzales of food stocked
Dry goods and fresh products account for ~80% of overall losses
Returns (46.88%) and expiration (28.24%) are the leading causes of waste
Waste is highest in January, likely due to holiday-season purchasing and inventory cycles
69.51% of recorded waste occurs in the Guatemala department, reflecting store concentration and population density

Why It Matters

Food waste remains a major challenge in Latin America, where an estimated 12% of food production is lost while millions face food insecurity. By establishing a clear baseline, this study supports evidence-based decision-making and encourages collaboration between retailers, suppliers, and social organisations to reduce waste and recover food for vulnerable communities.

Looking Ahead

The report opens the door for more retailers to participate in future analysis, helping strengthen Guatemala's efforts to build a more efficient, sustainable, and socially responsible food system.

GS1 Guatemala Study of food Waste 2025

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