A new national report has found that trading practices across Australia's food supply chain may be contributing to food loss and waste (FLW).
The project, Understanding trading practices contributing to food loss and waste in Australia, is the first of its kind to examine how supply chain dynamics, including contracting, data transparency and overproduction, may be influencing food waste outcomes.
The final report, led by QUT Associate Professor Bree Hurst from the School of Advertising, Marketing and PR in collaboration with the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, found that systemic issues such as market imbalances, lack of transparency and limitations in regulatory codes are contributing to inefficiencies and surplus food that often goes to waste.
"These are everyday practices that have become normalised in our food system but they're quietly fuelling waste at a massive scale," said Professor Hurst.
"While these practices operate within the current legal framework, they are inefficient. And they're contributing to a system where food is grown, harvested and then discarded – not because it's inedible, but because of how business is done."
This multi-phase research included a literature review, interviews with supply chain stakeholders and a deep dive into potential solutions. It focused primarily on the horticulture and bakery sectors, with recommendations that could be extended across the broader food industry.
The report calls for both industry and government action, including;
- a combination of general and specific bans on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain
- mandatory improvements to industry codes
- better data transparency.
Modelling from the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study (FIAL, 2021) suggests that addressing these practices could reduce Australia's total food waste by 470,000 tonnes over 10 years.
"By developing an understanding of how and why trading practices are impacting food loss and waste, and identifying who has the power to affect change, we hope to help mitigate their impact," Professor Hurst said.
Alongside Professor Hurst, the QUT project team includes Associate Professor Hope Johnson, Professor Rowena Maguire, Dr Jessica Thiel and PhD candidate Hannah Churton.
The full report, Understanding How Trading Practices Affect Food Loss and Waste in Australia (2025), is available online.
