Sustainability

Germany’s confectionery industry leads the way in sustainable palm oil use

By Anthony Myers

- Last updated on GMT

Fresh oil palm fruits, before they are turned into oil and used in confectionery. Pic: GettyImages
Fresh oil palm fruits, before they are turned into oil and used in confectionery. Pic: GettyImages

Related tags Palm oil

Germany’s confectionery industry is playing a leading role in the use of sustainable palm oil in its products, claims the main body representing its sweet manufacturers.

The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI), says it is setting a good example regarding sustainability in general and 94% of the palm oil and palm kernel oil used in the German confectionery industry is certified as clean.

In comparison, according to the BDSI, only around 25% of the palm oil and palm kernel oil used worldwide is sustainably certified.

It cites data from a current study by Meo Carbon Solutions published by the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP), which deals with the use of sustainably produced palm oil/palm kernel oil in Germany (January 2021), and which the BDSI is also a member.

When sourced sustainably palm oil is a perfect ingredient for certain production processes and a valuable raw material for the manufacture of confectionery. Most of the palm oil consumed in Germany comes from the bioenergy sector. While the consumption of palm oil continues to rise worldwide, it is stagnating in Germany.

The BDSI says it is against boycott calls as they can actually undermine sustainability efforts and often damage small producers in the countries of origin such as Indonesia, Malaysia or Colombia.

Many companies in the BDSI are directly involved as members of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), and work intensively with FONAP and/or have set targets to become 100% sustainably certified.

The BDSI says its members recognize that sustainable production conditions not only make sense, but also form essential criteria for sales in the European market in the long term.

Detailed results of the study by MEO Carbon Solutions on the use of palm oil in Germany is available from the Sustainable Palm Oil Forum at www.forumpalmoel.org.

Related topics Commodities Sustainable Sourcing

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