Food Waste Management Market Size, Share and Outlook - Growth Analysis Report and Forecast Trends (2026-2035)

The global food waste management market attained USD 40.87 Billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.30% during the forecast period of 2026-2035, attaining a value of USD 68.50 Billion by 2035. Rapid industrialisation and the rising R&D activities are expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the food waste management market.

Key Insights and Trends

• The Europe food waste management market secured the dominant position in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period.
• By country, the food wate management market in Japan secured 4.6% of the market share.
• By waste type, the fish and seafood category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period.
• By process, incineration/combustion is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period.

Market Size & Forecast

• Market Size in 2025: USD 40.87 Billion
• Projected Market Size in 2035: USD 68.50 Billion
• CAGR from 2026 to 2035: 5.30%
• Dominant Regional Market: Europe

Q1 2026 Market Updates

Overview: Few sectors escaped the reach of the Q1 2026 Iran-US-Israel conflict, and the Food Waste Management industry was no exception. Agricultural inputs, particularly urea and nitrogen fertilisers, surged as global supply chains from the Middle East were severed. The Atlantic Council reported that urea prices at the New Orleans hub rose 32% in a single week to USD 683 per metric tonne. Food production cost inflation will drive waste generation patterns, while fuel price spikes are raising collection and anaerobic digestion logistics costs.

United States: US food waste management operators face rising energy costs as Brent crude peaked at USD 126 per barrel over Q1 2026. Anaerobic digestion facilities, a key food waste valorisation technology, face both higher feedstock transport costs and increased electricity value from biogas output as energy prices rise. The USDA and EPA joint Food Loss and Waste 2030 Reduction Goal programme continues to provide policy support. Urea price inflation, up 32% in one week per the Atlantic Council, will increase food production costs, potentially altering food waste composition and volumes as consumers and businesses adjust purchasing behaviour.

Iran: Iran's food supply chains are critically disrupted over Q1 2026. Nine grain ships inbound for Iran were unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz as of 6 March 2026, per Wikipedia's account of the 2026 Iran War economic impact. Iran's agricultural sector, already under severe stress from pre-conflict 40%+ inflation, faces compounding disruption from military strikes on irrigation infrastructure and the complete blockade of fertiliser and food import logistics. Food waste management infrastructure in Iran is entirely non-functional under wartime conditions and OFAC's 31 C.F.R. Part 560.

Israel: Israel's food supply chains remain operational, supported by domestic agricultural production and active port infrastructure outside the Hormuz-disrupted Gulf corridor. However, imported food inputs face price inflation as global shipping costs rise. Israel's MOEP food waste reduction programme, a component of the broader 2030 recycling targets, continues formally, though operational capacity for food waste processing is under wartime resource pressure. Israeli food waste from conflict-zone displacement and military provisioning is an emerging waste stream requiring MOEP coordination.

Key Takeaways

Government:

• The Atlantic Council reported urea prices surged 32% in one week to USD 683/MT at the New Orleans hub, raising food production costs globally and creating structural changes in food waste composition and volumes.
• OFAC 31 C.F.R. Part 560 prohibits all food waste management technology and service transactions with Iran; nine grain ships were unable to transit the Strait to reach Iran as of March 6, 2026 (Wikipedia, 2026 Iran War).    
• The USDA-EPA Food Loss and Waste 2030 Reduction Goal programme remains operative in the US; the geopolitical conflict has not altered domestic food waste policy frameworks.

Market:

• Brent crude peaked at USD 126/barrel in Q1 2026 (Wikipedia, 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis), raising fuel costs for food waste collection fleets and anaerobic digestion feedstock transport.
• Urea prices rose 32% in one week to USD 683/MT (Atlantic Council), driving food production cost inflation that is altering food purchasing patterns and waste generation volumes across major markets.
• Iran's food waste management sector has zero operational capacity; nine grain import ships were blocked from transit as of March 6, 2026, indicating a severe food supply crisis that compounds waste management paralysis.

Procurement:

• Anaerobic digestion operators should review energy purchase agreements as rising crude prices increase the value of biogas and biomethane outputs; new hedging arrangements should be considered.
• Food producers and retailers should review supply contracts for force majeure applicability given fertiliser price inflation and shipping disruptions affecting food supply chains globally.
• Iranian food waste management entities have zero access to international services or technology under OFAC restrictions; this position is reinforced by wartime conditions.