The Fresh Produce Industry’s Role in Building a Sustainable Future

The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce offers a series of briefing notes titled Fruits and Vegetables: Global Value Chains Explained. The notes serve as resources designed to illuminate the complexities and interconnectedness of the fresh produce industry on a global scale.

From production and distribution to consumption and environmental impact, these briefings aim to provide an in-depth understanding and promote informed discussions on the industry’s role in achieving global sustainability and food security.

In the Understanding Costs and Prices in Global Value Chains for Fruits and Vegetables section of the report, the critical issue of affordability and consumer confidence in a volatile global market is addressed. It highlights that fruits and vegetables consistently offer exceptional value, both nutritionally and economically, remaining highly competitive compared to other food categories even amid inflationary pressures.

Data from the United States, Canada and the European Union demonstrate that, while food prices generally have risen in recent years, the price increases for fresh fruits and vegetables have been comparatively less significant. This relative stability underscores the efficiency and resilience of the fresh produce supply chain.

The report delves into the multifaceted factors influencing consumer prices, which are often poorly understood. These include the perishable nature of produce, seasonal fluctuations, and substantial investments in sustainable land and water management.

Crucially, the note dissects the various cost pressures confronting growers and the broader industry, such as escalating input costs (construction materials, fertilizers, fuel, machinery), rising labor costs, and the increasing burden of compliance with food safety and sustainability standards.

The economic viability of the industry is further challenged by disruptive forces, like extreme weather events, which reduce yields and necessitate significant adaptation investments; geopolitical tensions affecting trade routes and freight rates; and volatile trade policies leading to tariff uncertainties.

The compounding effect of these challenges is severe, with a significant portion of the global fresh produce industry operating at a loss or breaking even, threatening long-term sustainability and prompting many operators to consider exiting the sector.

Complementing this economic analysis, The Environmental Footprint of Fruits and Vegetables articulates the fresh produce industry’s profound commitment to environmental stewardship. This note emphatically demonstrates the remarkably low environmental footprint of fruits and vegetables when compared to other food categories, particularly meat and dairy.

Drawing on comprehensive meta-analyses, it presents compelling data on significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with plant-based foods. For instance, GHG emissions from plant-based foods are 10 to 50 times lower than those from animal products, primarily due to the inefficient energy conversion in animal agriculture and methane (CH4) emissions.

The report strongly advocates for dietary shifts toward greater consumption of fruits and vegetables as a powerful strategy for mitigating climate change and conserving natural resources.

Beyond minimizing negative impacts, the second briefing note highlights the positive environmental externalities generated by fruit and vegetable production.

Woody perennial crops, such as fruit trees, are identified as effective carbon sinks, actively sequestering atmospheric carbon in their biomass. And fruit orchards foster biodiversity by creating microhabitats for pollinators, contributing to ecosystem resilience.

The industry’s proactive engagement in sustainability is showcased through numerous global examples. Case studies from Canada (e.g., Lufa Farms’ hydroponics, Highline Mushrooms’ energy optimization), Africa (e.g., Africado Ltd.’s biodiversity protection, East African Growers’ smart irrigation), Latin America (e.g., Mexico’s avocado sustainability initiative, Agrícola Famosa’s regenerative agriculture), and Aotearoa New Zealand (e.g., Zespri Global’s climate adaptation plan, Auckland Council’s food waste-to-energy project) exemplify these innovative efforts.

The note also critically examines the concept of “food miles,” arguing that transport’s contribution to a food’s total GHG emissions is often minor compared to production methods, and emphasizes the crucial role of international produce trade in supporting livelihoods in developing countries.

In conclusion, these two briefing notes collectively present a robust argument for the indispensable role of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in building a sustainable future.

As chair of the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce, I emphasize that understanding both the economic complexities and environmental leadership of our sector is paramount. Continued collaboration, innovation, and supportive policy frameworks are essential to ensure the industry’s economic resilience, enhance its environmental contributions, and ultimately secure a healthy and affordable supply of fresh produce for a growing global population.

Learn more at https://producecoalition.net/publications/.

Ron Lemaire is president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and chair of the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce. Its member organizations represent producers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and other actors in global supply chains for fresh produce, in Canada, the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.PB