Local Sourcing: Are we currently witnessing a shift towards more local production?
Consumers want more regional products. However, local production is not automatically more sustainable – and faces limitations in terms of climate, seasonality and economic viability.
The origin of fresh food is becoming increasingly important to many people. Regional produce stands for transparency, short supply chains and a stronger connection to producers. Companies in the fresh fruit sector are therefore also exploring which goods can be produced closer to their sales markets.
But how far can this trend go? And is a locally grown product fundamentally more sustainable than imported goods?
In this episode of the ‘FRUIT LOGISTICA’ podcast, Tom Joyce from Fruitnet speaks to Arie Havelaar, founder and Managing Director of Sawari Fresh, Janine Abram, Marketing Product Manager at G’s España, and Flora Boulinguez, Marketing Director at Prince de Bretagne.
Regionality builds trust
For companies, origin has long been more than just a detail on the packaging. It can stand for traceable supply chains, regional value creation and personal stories from the world of agriculture.
Prince de Bretagne makes this local connection the core of its communication. The cooperative brings together family-run farms from Brittany and markets their products under a shared regional brand. This brings to the fore not only the produce, but also the people and structures behind it.
Ginger from the Netherlands
Sawari Fresh demonstrates how new regional supply chains can emerge. The company works with Dutch farmers to grow ginger, which until now has mainly been imported from China, Brazil or Peru.
To achieve this, cultivation methods must be adapted to local conditions, and only experience gained over several harvests will reveal whether the plan is successful. At the same time, quality, quantity and price must be able to compete with established import structures.
Dutch ginger demonstrates that the boundaries of regional production are not fixed. New varieties, protected cultivation systems and more precise production methods can enable the cultivation of crops that were previously uncommon.
Local is not automatically more sustainable
At first glance, short transport distances appear particularly climate friendly. However, many other factors are crucial to the actual environmental footprint: energy and water consumption, yield, storage, packaging and cultivation methods.
An imported product can be produced in a more resource-efficient manner under favourable climatic conditions than the same produce in a heated greenhouse. It is therefore not just the distance to the market that matters, but the entire value chain.
Climate and season set limits
Not every crop can be grown sensibly in every region. Temperature, light, soil quality and water availability determine which products can be produced economically at a given location.
Added to this is the desire to be able to buy fruit and vegetables all year round. Regional cultivation can ensure freshness and local sourcing, particularly during the growing season – but outside harvest periods, international supply chains often remain indispensable.
The future therefore probably lies not in a complete move away from global trade, but in a balanced procurement model: local and seasonal where it makes sense – international where climate, quality and availability make it the right choice.
Technology expands the possibilities
Precision irrigation, sensor technology, data analysis and automated climate control can support regional cultivation. They help to use resources more effectively and to better control production conditions.
Protected cultivation systems also open up new possibilities. Whether they are viable in the long term, however, depends on investment costs, energy requirements and achievable crop yields.
New partnerships for new supply chains
The trend towards more regional production creates scope for new collaborations. Retailers, specialist importers and farms can work together to test new crops, develop cultivation methods and agree long-term purchase volumes.
This is also changing the role of companies: they are no longer simply trading in existing products but are actively helping to shape new supply chains.
Will more fruit and vegetables be grown closer to their respective markets in ten years’ time? There is much to suggest so. At the same time, the international fruit trade will continue to be needed to link different climate zones, harvest seasons and markets.
This podcast episode was created in partnership with Fruitnet Media International.