How many certificates does the world need?

Is the European Union's Green Deal still on the table or not? Richard Schouten says it's hard to tell. But for farmers, that doesn't mean sustainability is off the agenda, emphasises the director of the Fresh Produce Centre The Netherlands, which represents around 250 companies in the Dutch fruit and vegetable sector. Together, they account for around 80 per cent of the industry's turnover.

"Our products are unique in their combination of healthy eating and low carbon footprint," said Schouten at the Fresh Produce Forum at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026. "But they do have a footprint – and that's why we need to continue working on our sustainability." Especially since retailers, banks and investors are increasingly demanding proof of sustainable production of fresh fruit and vegetables. This, in turn, has led to a confusing jumble of certificates, the number of which is still growing rapidly. There are now more than 300 sustainability standards – "and the poor producer is lost in the middle of it all".

One-stop shop for sustainability and food safety

This is expensive for producers, incomprehensible for consumers and inefficient overall, said Schouten: "We don't need more certificates, we need fewer." The Fresh Produce Centre has therefore set itself the goal of establishing a one-stop shop as proof of food safety, sustainability and social responsibility of producers. To this end, producers and retailers should sit down together to set common goals. As an objective measurement tool, the Fresh Produce Centre has developed its own PEFCR (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules), which map the entire life cycle of products – from production to retail.

María López Hernández, on the other hand, promoted a new certificate – namely, proof of "legal, efficient and sustainable water use" – which her own company, the Spanish eco-certifier CAAE, has launched. "Water use is one of the biggest challenges facing the world," explained López Hernández, Commercial Director at CAAE. In Spain, for example, around 80 per cent of drinking water consumption is accounted for by agriculture. Reports of water wastage or water pollution have left consumers increasingly angry and, in some cases, resigned. The CAEE certificate is intended to regain consumer confidence and help producers use drinking water sustainably.

A certificate for responsible use of water

To this end, CAAE focuses on three points, López Hernández explained: legality, sustainability and efficiency. In her opinion, the most important part is legal land use. That is why CAAE checks, among other things, the water catchment area of farms, water consumption with the aid of flow meters and the condition of irrigation ponds for certification purposes.

To promote greater sustainability in water use, CAAE not only conducts water risk analyses and monitors buffer zones along watercourses, but also supports farms through forums on water issues and training programmes on the proper storage of fertilisers. In the third pillar, efficiency requirements, CAAE demands, among other things, water analyses, continuously adjusted irrigation plans, risk management and trained personnel.

The question remains whether consumers will really be willing to pay for this effort, according to one audience member. López Hernández admitted that this will indeed require a lot of educational work. It is often difficult for consumers to assess the quality of products. "We need to provide much more information for this."