European suppliers push for fewer certificates and simpler rules

At the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid, 24 organizations representing a large share of Europe's fresh fruit and vegetable production and trade met to discuss a common strategy for the sector. The group, named the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Suppliers of Europe, emphasized the need to reduce administrative burdens and simplify certification requirements.

The fresh produce sector faces a wide range of challenges. These include pandemics, conflicts, and rising costs across the supply chain, as well as the ongoing effects of climate change. Farmers are responding with measures such as improved water management, soil restoration, and biodiversity protection. However, participants stressed that these issues cannot be addressed in isolation. A coordinated European strategy is needed to strengthen social, economic, and environmental sustainability simultaneously.

According to the group, an effective strategy should ensure food safety and product availability efficiently, while maintaining affordability for consumers. At the same time, producers and supply chain partners must be able to secure sufficient income to sustain their businesses and rural communities. Protecting natural resources and limiting environmental impact are also central goals, with measurement and reporting based on standardized methods.

One of the key issues raised was the proliferation of certification systems. The European Commission estimates there are around 300 different sustainability certifications currently in use. Suppliers argued that introducing more private standards adds complexity and costs without increasing value in the chain. They called for greater standardization, fewer certificates, and benchmarking systems that are broadly accepted across the industry.

Digitalization was highlighted as a means to improve efficiency, with stakeholders suggesting that production-to-sale information should only need to be entered once into a shared system.

The meeting in Madrid marked the first step in what the group described as an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, including retailers. The aim is to develop a shared approach to reducing bureaucracy and creating a framework that works across the sector.