Croatian households waste approximately 211.730 tons of food annually, which translates into approximately 250 million euros in monetary value, according to a new analysis based on Eurostat data. N1.
In other words, the average Croatian household throws away approximately 147 kilograms of food per year, or 12,2 kilograms per month or 0,4 kilograms per day. Croatia ranks much better in this category than other European Union countries, but the amount of waste is still significant given the size of its population.
One of the reasons why so much food waste accumulates is the fact that people don't know how to use their refrigerators properly.
According to a survey conducted by HAPiH in 2025, 51,4 percent of citizens surveyed do not know what temperature their refrigerators operate at, and as many as 80 percent of respondents store food in them incorrectly.
Two fundamental reasons for improper refrigerator operation
This can create a whole host of problems, from financial and hygiene issues to health issues, and increase the amount of food that ends up in waste. There are two fundamental reasons for improper refrigerator operation: inadequate temperature and improper food storage.
It is very important to know at what temperature food should be kept. Inaccurate thermostats are often the culprit of breakdowns of all food in the world is wasted, especially when it comes to fresh meat, fish, dairy products and ready meals.
The recommended refrigerator temperature is 2-5°C, while anything warmer poses a risk of harmful bacteria such as salmonella. Results from Croatia show that approximately 30 percent of respondents do not keep their refrigerator at the recommended temperature at all.
Also, older refrigerators are more susceptible to technical malfunctions and are usually somewhat hotter than new models. All this can speed up the process of food spoilage and increase the amount of waste
How to properly arrange food?
When it comes to properly stacking foods, experts say that special attention should be paid to the following:
Overcrowding the refrigerator should be avoided for better air circulation. Raw meat and fish should be placed on the bottom shelf to prevent them from dripping onto other foods. Fruit and vegetables should be stored in drawers for optimal humidity, and sauces and condiments in the door. Cooked food belongs on the shelves above raw food.
The aforementioned research shows that only 20 percent of respondents know that thermally processed food should be kept on the shelf above raw food, in order to avoid cross-contamination, and very few citizens properly arranges food in the refrigerator.
2,5 million euros per year
Such practices can also cause financial losses. It is estimated that the value of one kilogram of wasted food is approximately 1,18 euros in Europe, which could be even higher in Croatia due to high prices. Given the average amount of food wasted, the average Croatian household could lose approximately 174 euros per year.
Let's assume that only one percent of such waste results from improper refrigerator handling. Even with this conservative estimate, the final damage outcome is the aforementioned figure of approximately 2,5 million euros per year.
This is precisely why the refrigerator is one of the most underestimated factors in the home budget and home security, but only if used and stored properly.
Source: N1
Photo: Pexels
