The Technical Secretariat (TS) of the FreshProducePEFCR, which has developed the technical rules for calculating the environmental footprint of fruits and vegetables as part of Freshfel´s Environmental Footprint Initiative, welcomed more than 50 fruit and vegetable sector representatives to its event “Presentation of the FreshProducePEFCR & Next Steps”.

The event focused on the finalisation of the FreshProducePEFCR and the progress towards addressing the growing need for a standardised environmental footprint methodology for the European fresh produce sector. In light of the EU environmental footprint accountability requirements and the increasing transparency demands from the supply chain and consumers, the Technical Secretariat (TS) of the FreshProducePEFCR has worked in the past years on a harmonised solution for the sector that is aligned with the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology as recommended by the EU, to enhance the sector’s sustainability and maintain its competitiveness.

Freshfel Europe Vice-President Frédéric Rosseneu started the event by highlighting the need to develop PEFCR tools for the fruit and vegetable business. “Developing a harmonised methodology and category rules is essential for the sector and its ability to communicate the sustainability assets of fresh produce.” He added: “We need to speak the same language if we want to talk to consumers and address their transparency demands effectively.” Jeroen Weststrate (Project leader and Researcher at Wageningen University & Research) presented the process of developing the calculation rules, as well as the finalisation of the FreshProducePEFCR and its implementation in the sector. He explained: “The PEFCR project is a prime example of how sectoral collaboration can drive meaningful impact. Not only has a new industry standard been set, but it has also laid the foundation for lasting environmental and sectoral change, providing trustworthy sustainability metrics that drive targeted sustainability performance improvements, while ensuring comparable results.” Fresh Produce Centre’s General Manager Richard Schouten focused on the concrete advantages that the use of the FreshProducePEFCR will bring to the sector: “By developing the FreshProducePEFCR, the sector takes a proactive step to be more transparent to help create one common standard on environmental sustainability.”

Freshfel Europe General Delegate Philippe Binard concluded the event by encouraging the fruit and vegetable sector to embrace the advantages of the tools that effectively harmonise the environmental accountability of the sector: “After years of progress, we look forward to the next big step for the FreshProducePEFCR – its adoption and implementation by the wide variety of actors in the fresh produce business. As the process of bringing the chain together to develop the methodology comes to an end, it’s now up to the sector to take to the fullest this opportunity to calculate, communicate, and further enhance the environmental benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables.”

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) announced the release of Version 4.3 of its groundbreaking Beverage Industry Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Sector Guidance. This latest iteration is designed to further support the beverage industry in aligning with global GHG reporting protocols while enhancing consistency, accuracy, and leadership in emissions calculation and reporting.

A comprehensive tool for sustainability in the beverage sector

The updated guidance builds on BIER’s commitment to providing beverage companies with sector-specific tools that go beyond standard protocols. It supports the industry’s efforts to measure, manage, and report emissions effectively across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect), and Scope 3 (value chain) categories. By tailoring the framework to the unique needs of the beverage sector, the guidance ensures actionable insights and meaningful progress toward decarbonization.

“Version 4.3 represents a critical step forward for the beverage industry,” said Erica Pann, Executive Director of BIER. “It enables companies to confidently navigate the complexities of GHG reporting while fostering greater transparency and accountability within the sector.”

Key updates in Version 4.3

The latest guidance incorporates cutting-edge developments in GHG reporting standards and methodologies, including:

• Alignment with Emerging Standards: Integrating updates from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Science-Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) FLAG guidance for forest, land, and agriculture emissions.
• Enhanced Methodologies: Improvements in data allocation for recycling, transportation logistics, and cooling models to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Focus on Transparency: Strengthened protocols for data verification and disclosure to meet the demands of stakeholders, from regulators to consumers.

Commitment to net zero leadership

As part of a broader commitment to a net-zero future, BIER member companies are embracing ambitious science-based targets. Many have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040-2050. The updated guidance underscores near- and long-term decarbonization strategies, providing a clear pathway to align with global climate goals and build resilience in the face of climate change.

A collaborative industry effort

Developed by BIER, a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies, the guidance exemplifies the power of collective action. It unites the industry under a shared framework for measuring and reducing emissions while driving innovation and sustainable practices.

“This guidance reflects the beverage industry’s leadership in sustainability,” said Inez Prosee, GHG Guidance Project Manager and Associate Director at BIER. “By working together, we’re setting the standard for GHG reporting and creating a more sustainable future for the entire sector.”

The Beverage Industry Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Sector Guidance, Version 4.3 is available for download at https://bit.ly/BIERGHG25.

“That was the kind of FACHPACK we know and love!” – That was the general consensus among exhibitors and visitors at FACHPACK 2024, which has just closed following a highly successful three-day event. Thirty-seven thousand trade visitors, one third from outside Germany, learned about the latest trends and innovations at the stands run by the 1,455 exhibitors, and discussed pressing packaging issues with the experts. The key theme of “Transition In Packaging” was strongly in evidence in all the exhibition halls and in the supporting programme. “The great response speaks for itself: Despite the changes happening in the packaging industry and the many challenges it is facing, the European packaging sector at FACHPACK proved extremely innovative, solution-oriented and confident,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse, summing up the event. In 2025, FACHPACK will be held at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg together with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM.

“Once again, FACHPACK has shown itself to be a clear guide and driving force for the packaging industry in Europe,” says Slotta, summing up the mood at FACHPACK 2024. “And that’s what we need! The packaging sector is in a state of transition. New regulations have to be implemented, and high expectations in terms of sustainability and the circular economy need to be met. At the same time, the industry faces challenges brought about by demographic change. And then there are other themes relating to the energy supply system, supply chains, digitalization and artificial intelligence. Here in Nuremberg we’ve just had three days of experiencing first-hand just how innovative, solution-focused and optimistic the industry is in dealing with these challenges and helping to structure the transition. The FACHPACK motto ‘We create the future’ once again sums it up nicely.”

Visitors from throughout Europe

FACHPACK offered an extensive range of solutions and innovations in the areas of packaging, packaging systems and packaging processes. Most visitors to FACHPACK travelled to the Exhibition Centre from other countries in Europe. After Germany, the top ten countries were Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Turkey and Hungary. The international contingent made up 33 percent of the total.

Industry professionals: Top decision-makers onsite

The results of a visitor survey by an independent institute confirmed that 96 percent of the industry professionals were happy with the products and services in the exhibition halls. Some 90 percent of the trade visitors said they were involved in making the purchasing and procurement decisions in their respective businesses. Two thirds of them hold management positions. The visitors came mainly from the food and feed, pharmaceutical and medical, chemical, cosmetics, retail, automotive, electrical and electronic, non-food, logistics and packaging industries.

Women4Packaging network off to a successful start

The Women4Packaging networking event was very well received, with 150 female industry players seizing the unique opportunity on the first day of the trade fair to network onsite and interact on current themes and trends in the packaging sector. The keynote by Vera Strauch, founder of the Female Leadership Academy and expert in Feminist Leadership, provided stimulating ideas. This initial gathering received a thoroughly positive response, and the Women4Packaging network will be continued and expanded accordingly, to ensure a focus on women in the packaging industry in the future. Regular meetings are planned. Phuong Anh Do, Deputy Director FACHPACK, is overwhelmed by the response to the new industry platform: “There are many qualified women in the packaging industry. That’s why we’re particularly pleased to have created a trail-blazing network for women at FACHPACK in the form of Women4Packaging, which offers female players in the industry an opportunity for constructive interaction with like-minded colleagues and genuine added value.”

German Packaging Award and Gold Awards presented

On the first day of FACHPACK, the German Packaging Institute (dvi) announced the winners of the Gold Awards for this year’s German Packaging Award. The five best innovations for 2024 came from the categories of Digitalization, Functionality & Convenience, Sustainability and Packaging Machines. A total of 41 innovative solutions that were recognized with the German Packaging Award in August were celebrated.

New: Packaging Valley organizes Packaging Machinery Forum in collaboration with FACHPACK in 2025

In early summer 2025, Packaging Valley and FACHPACK will join forces for the new Packaging Machinery Forum format. This leading forum for packaging machine construction will offer exclusive insights into the future of the sector. It will focus on topics of interest to customers of the packaging machine construction industry. Technological themes such as digitalization will be given the same prominence as questions of business models, market developments, and how to ensure future-proof production. Participants can also look forward to customized sessions run by top-level experts to deal with individual questions. The forum also offers an ideal platform for networking, which enables direct connections to decision-makers and leading thinkers in the sector. More information will follow soon.

Save the date: The next FACHPACK will take place together with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 23 to 25 September 2025.

The Prognosfruit Conference is Europe’s leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, gathering growers from across Europe and beyond. Following last year’s successful return to Trentino, Prognosfruit 2024 will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from the 7th to the 9th of August 2024. Registration is now open, and stakeholders and journalists are welcome to register via the Prognosfruit website. Prognosfruit 2024 is organised by WAPA in cooperation with FruitVeB (Magyar Zöldség- Gyümölcs Szakmaközi Szervezet).

Since 1976, Prognosfruit has released the annual forecast of apple and pear production for the upcoming season. This year, the three-day event during which the report will be released will see representatives of the sector gather to discuss the Northern Hemisphere situation as well as global perspectives for apples and pears. Following the Prognosfruit Conference on August 8, the delegates will have the opportunity to participate in a technical visit at Rauch’s processing factory in Budapest.

WAPA Secretary General Philippe Binard stated: “We look forward to welcoming the apple and pear experts and providing the opportunity for the sector representatives to gather and discuss the latest developments of the market. This year’s three-day programme, in addition to the crop forecast for 2024-2025, will focus in particular on strategies to promote the consumption of apples and pears and on the outlook for the processing industry”.

The draft programme of Prognosfruit 2024 and the online registration form to attend the conference are both available on the Prognosfruit website.

Critical challenges arise in the citrus industry as demand outpaces supply chain capabilities. Shortages of fresh fruit caused by environmental factors and greening create uncertainties about future availability. Leading the sustainable citrus movement, Döhler offers innovative citrus taste solutions, assisting customers and driving market resilience.

In a world where trends come and go, one flavour continues to outstand: CITRUS. However, the citrus industry is currently facing a crisis as it struggles to meet the high global demand and faces unprecedented challenges within its supply chain. Population growth, environmental factors, greening disease and most parts of the production being destined for fresh fruit consumption have triggered a shortage of citrus fruit for processing, intensifying concerns about its availability in the future. The ingredients industry is urgently seeking innovative ingredient solutions to meet the surging demand for citrus products.

In response to these uncertainties, Döhler as a leading provider of natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions supports their customers in navigating the challenges of the industry with a comprehensive portfolio and services. Providing a unique and personalised citrus experience, Döhler’s deep understanding of citrus allows them to work seamlessly with each variety and ingredient, whether it’s grapefruit juice, orange oil or lemon peel. What sets Döhler apart is its commitment to stability and sustainability amidst market fluctuations. The company’s unique backward integration model positions it not just as a participant but as a primary source in the industry. Emphasising the mindful use of natural resources, Döhler offers innovative solutions that deliver the multi-sensory excellence of citrus, without necessarily relying on citrus fruits themselves.

Through the combination of biotechnology and natural ingredients, Döhler ensures its products are 100 % natural and sustainable. The company’s approach includes the use of non-citrus alternatives, processed gently to maintain quality and performance, aligning with consumer expectations. This strategy demonstrates Döhler’s commitment to resource-efficient alternatives, underlining its role as a responsible and innovative leader in the citrus sector.

According to Marc Pessers, Global Citrus Team Lead at Döhler, “Our unwavering commitment is to enable your consumers to savour the vibrant essence of citrus even during periods of limited raw materials. It is our mission to nourish the world better. As the demand for citrus products continues to surge, the market conditions become increasingly volatile, resulting in overall price fluctuations. Recognising this, Döhler has developed a full range portfolio of citrus ingredients – folded oils, fractions, signature building blocks – and natural flavours such as 100% FTNFs, 95/5 and WONF as well as nature identical solutions.”

Döhler provides direct access to the finest natural raw materials through full vertical integration, enabling their customers to overcome supply challenges and maintain a sustainable citrus portfolio. By conducting fair and transparent business practices, promoting regenerative agriculture and embracing circular economy principles, Döhler guarantees their customers the highest quality citrus solutions while reducing environmental impact.

Recognising the complexity of the current citrus market, Döhler stands ready to collaborate with customers, offering innovative and sustainable solutions. Their extensive expertise and global reach position them as trusted partner in navigating the ever-changing citrus landscape. The company is committed to supporting customers with tailored citrus solutions, ensuring a continuous supply of prime quality products.

Despite the brewing geopolitical, economic, and health crises, China’s hot drinks sales are set to increase, as consumers trade up to higher-quality products. The introduction of innovative and customised tea, coffee, and plant-based hot drinks is bolstering the market growth. As a result, the China’s hot drinks market is set to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 % from CNY 231.4 billion (USD 36.2 billion) in 2021 to CNY 311 billion (USD 48.6 billion) in 2026, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Chinese Hot Drinks – Market Assessment and Forecasts to 2026’, reveals that while tea remains the mainstay, the coffee culture is growing owing to the evolving lifestyles and preferences of urban consumers. The market growth will be primarily driven by the hot coffee category, which is set to register the fastest value CAGR of 6.5 % during 2021-2026. The category will be followed by other hot drinks and hot tea with a CAGR of 6.2 % and 6.0 %, respectively, over the forecast period.

Naveed Khan, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The stringent COVID-19 lockdowns in Beijing, Shanghai and in the Hainan province have undermined the on-premise sales of hot drinks. However, consumers are treating themselves to higher quality tea and coffee at home. The growing demand for the new consumption experiences among the urban youth, and the introduction of new brew styles and flavours by international and homegrown companies are powering the growth of the hot coffee category in China.

“Hot tea, the largest category by value sales, continues to expand as new Chinese-style teas, such as yellow tea and scented tea, are gaining traction. The health concerns due to the pandemic are spurring the demand for herbal drinks that are perceived to improve immunity and overall health and wellness.”

According to the report, ‘convenience stores’ was the leading distribution channel in the Chinese hot drinks market in 2021, followed by hypermarkets & supermarkets, and e-retailers. Nestlé, China Tea, and Zhejiang Xiangpiaopiao were the top three companies in the fragmented Chinese hot drinks sector in value terms in 2021, and Nescafe and U.Loveit were the leading brands.

The per capita expenditure (PCE) on hot drinks in China increased from USD 6.5 in 2016 to USD 12.7 in 2021, surpassing the regional average at USD 11.1, but lagging the global level at USD 17.0. China’s PCE on hot drinks will surge to USD 17 in 2026.

Khan concludes: “Multinational and local companies are launching new products with innovative marketing strategies to develop new consumption occasions and expand their base. They are targeting young consumers, who are eager to experiment with innovative brew styles and flavours. However, the strict pandemic control measures, economic slowdown, and political standoff over Taiwan may slowdown the hot drinks sector’s growth momentum in the intermediate term.”

Despite providing an uninterrupted supply of fresh fruit and vegetables so far to European citizens confined at home, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to destabilize the European fresh fruit and vegetable sector, threatening long-term food supply. In a letter sent to European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski Freshfel Europe has requested urgent financial assistance and flexibility in CAP tools to provide much needed stability to the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. Currently, growers are grappling with significant cost increases estimated to be at least €500 million per month. The sector has also lost access to the food service sector representing 25 – 30 % of the market supply and EU fresh fruit and vegetables exports to third countries worth € 5 billion per year are also confronted with significant difficulties. As the pandemic evolves, it will continue to bring with it further economic stress for the sector and threaten the financial sustainability of fresh fruit and vegetable supply.

Freshfel Europe’s letter to European Commissioner Wojciechowski warns that the European fresh fruit and vegetable sector cannot sustain the increased level of production and logistic costs resulting from the COVID-19 crisis without endangering fresh fruit and vegetable supply in the long term. Financial support is essential in conjunction with other measures, such as flexibility in management of CAP tools, to allow the sector to continue balancing additional costs related to COVID-19 with economic sustainability. Remarking on the huge financial burden being carried by the sector, Freshfel Europe General Delegate affirmed that, “Added costs in orchards and packing houses are estimated at least € 0,05 cts/kg and a similar amount of € 0,05 cts/kg is also to be considered to be added as extra charge in intra EU transport”. Collectively this represents about € 500 million given the volume produced and shipped monthly. Mr. Binard also highlighted that the sector should be considered an essential sector to secure access to protective tools and measures that would enable the return to normal operating conditions as early as possible. This would include access to hydrogel, masks and testing and allow the sector to be in a position to remove social distancing measures. With the availability of all seasonal workers this would these changes would facilitate orchard activities and logistics operations to run at normal high efficiency rates to ensure supply.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold Freshfel Europe maintains that further necessary measures under the CAP must be taken at European level to avoid a food supply crisis later in the year and secure that the sector can continue to provide Europe’s supply of fresh fruit and vegetables at affordable prices to consumers in the coming months. Freshfel Europe has also recommended to Commissioner Wojciechowski that in light of the far reaching implications of the COVID-19 crisis to also review different policies connected to agriculture and fruit and vegetables specifically, such as research and innovation, organic reform, promotion policy, international trade policy and the forthcoming Farm to Fork Strategy. Evolving conditions in regard to insurance and credit insurance and equal access to liquidity should also be analyzed.

The newly founded World Citrus Organisation (WCO) was officially launched at Fruit Attraction, Madrid. With this official presentation, citrus fruits are finally placed at the same level of coordination worldwide as other fruit categories, such as pears & apples, kiwis, avocado or red fruits, which already have their own global platforms. The WCO will act as the global platform for dialogue and action between the citrus producing countries worldwide. The core aim of the WCO is to facilitate member countries to better face common challenges and seize opportunities for the collective benefit of the citrus sector, in a spirit of cooperation and transparency.

Led by AILIMPO, the Spanish Lemon and Grapefruit Interbranch Association, and the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), sector representatives from Argentina, Chile, Italy, Morocco, Peru, Spain, and South Africa decided to join forces to create a global citrus platform where together they may address the many multifaceted changes experienced by the citrus market over recent years. Other countries that were unable to attend the meeting have also committed to the project, and the remaining global producers are invited to join the organization.

The primary objective of the WCO is to facilitate collective action in the citrus sector, for both fresh and processed categories. Most recently the sector has been faced with an extensive array of significant issues of global concern including growth in production, overlapping of seasons, changing climate conditions resulting in varied quality and biosecurity challenges, increased competition within the citrus category and between other fruit categories and food products as well as stagnating fruit consumption. The WCO will facilitate member countries to better face these common challenges and identify opportunities for the collective benefit of the citrus sector.

Specifically, the WCO’s mission is to:

• Discuss common issues affecting citrus producing countries.
• Exchange information on production and market trends to prepare for the next decade to come.
• Foster dialogue on policy issues of common concern.
• Identify and promote Research and Innovation projects specific to the citrus sector.
• Liaise with public and private stakeholders on citrus-related matters to highlight the importance of citrus producers and the need for a fair return.
• Promote the global consumption of citrus.

During the official presentation in Madrid, the Director General of Agricultural Production and Markets of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Esperanza Orellana, congratulated the citrus sector for the initiative, emphasizing the importance for Spain, leader in the production and export of citrus fruits, to be at the forefront of this project. The Counsellor of the Region of Murcia, Antonio Luengo, also greeted the participants and expressed his support for the new organisation. “It is important that the world citrus community works together to face common challenges and learn from each other,” he said, adding that, leaving aside the competitive factor, it is essential to share information and experiences for the collective benefit of the sector, which is of key strategic importance for Murcia and for Spain.

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, whose Secretariat is based in Brussels, Belgium, will coordinate and administer the WCO. The next meeting, where the formalities for the foundation and future structure of the organisation will be formalized, will take place at FruitLogistica 2020 in Berlin.