Improving food waste management within Ukraine’s retail and hospitality sectors could significantly strengthen the country’s food security, according to a newly published international study. Joint research conducted by the University of Portsmouth and the Odesa National University of Technology, published in the British Food Journal, suggests that stricter prevention systems and the redistribution of surplus food could ensure that edible provisions reach those in need—especially crucial in a nation currently burdened by armed conflict and severe economic pressure.
The Dominance of SMEs and Informal Waste Management
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the traditional backbone of the Ukrainian economy. Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2022 clearly highlights the sector’s immense weight: these companies account for an overwhelming 99.7 percent of the country’s entire business population. Researchers point out that improving food waste management within these businesses would have a massive social impact on a macroeconomic scale.
Currently, however, Ukrainian food retailers and hospitality businesses manage waste primarily through unstructured, informal practices based largely on “common sense.” Scientific surveys reveal that the current focus of these SMEs is mainly on reducing the volume of waste already generated or treating it post-creation (such as disposal or repurposing it as animal feed), rather than implementing systemic, true waste prevention.
The study also identified a clear “size effect” within the market: larger SMEs are significantly more likely to implement formalized prevention measures than smaller enterprises, which often struggle with much stricter financial and operational constraints.
Social Pressure and the Drivers of Prevention
While food retail and hospitality industries worldwide are characterized by high operational costs and narrow profit margins, the survey suggests that targeted waste management strategies could alleviate these economic burdens.
One of the most compelling findings of the research is that, even amid a wartime conflict, SME leaders and managers are willing to take active steps to prevent waste if they clearly recognize its negative environmental impacts. Professor Volodymyr Filippov, a researcher at the Odesa National University of Technology, highlighted this dynamic: “Perceived social pressure appears to be an important factor in motivating businesses to prevent food waste.” Alongside external social expectations, the respondents’ own personal attitudes also significantly influence the retail sector’s willingness to engage in prevention.
A Global Problem, Local Food Security
Food waste is not merely a local issue but a severe global crisis. According to official statistics cited in the research, approximately 30 percent of all food produced worldwide is either lost or ends up in the garbage.
Dr. Roza Sagitova, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth, emphasized that strengthening the redistribution system for edible, surplus food could directly support Ukrainian communities that are currently experiencing limited access to nutrition. “Food that would otherwise go to waste could be redirected for human consumption,” she stated, underscoring the critical importance of such measures during times of profound national tension.
Proposed Reforms and EU Legislative Alignment
To transform the current landscape, the experts recommend specific, actionable prevention measures that companies can integrate into their daily business practices:
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The introduction of advanced inventory management software and formalized protocols.
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The implementation of more accurate demand forecasting systems.
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The establishment of stronger, formalized redistribution networks for surplus food.
The study’s final conclusion also addresses legislative responsibility. According to the researchers, to achieve sustainable development, the Ukrainian government must integrate food waste and sustainable food consumption considerations into relevant national strategies and legislation. This step is also essential to ensure that the country’s legal framework aligns more closely with the European Union’s Food Waste Management framework. The analysis concludes that the combined application of stronger policy frameworks and heightened social awareness could yield a major breakthrough in curbing waste and guaranteeing food security.
Official Sources and References:
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Original Scientific Publication: Food waste management in SMEs: the Ukrainian context (British Food Journal, Emerald Publishing, March 2026)
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Institutional Press Release: Food waste reforms could boost food security in Ukraine (University of Portsmouth)