Insight by Jean-Philippe Michaux, Chair of the Sustainability Committee of FEDIMA.
Read it also in Fedima's 2023/2024 Annual Report.
Sustainability is crucial for all industries, including the bakery industry – a cornerstone of global culinary traditions. From cultivating grains to delivering finished products, every step involves critical decisions that impact the environment, social conditions, and economic viability.
With the global bakery market valued at over $416 billion1 in 2023, this industry holds significant potential to drive collective positive change. By embracing responsible sourcing and sustainable practices, bakeries can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals.
Recognising this responsibility, Fedima has published a comprehensive Code of Conduct for Responsible Sourcing across the bakery supply chain. This code, addressed to suppliers of the bakery ingredients industry, is designed to guide businesses in making conscientious choices that prioritise quality and safety of products, ethical business practices, and environmental stewardship. By adhering to these guidelines, our suppliers can help mitigate adverse impacts such as deforestation, child labour, and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to foster a supply chain that not only contributes positively to global sustainability goals, but also meets the growing consumer needs for sustainable products.
The European bakery ingredients industry, represented by Fedima, operates at a pivotal point along the supply chain – between 'farm' and 'fork', between bakery production and consumption. As responsible sourcing becomes an increasingly critical challenge for all stakeholders in the bakery value chain, Fedima’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Sourcing can serve as a guiding light for the entire European bakery sector. Whether it’s small bakeries seeking guidance or large players striving to align with best practices, this code points the way toward a more sustainable future.
What makes this achievement all the more significant is the fact that the Fedima Code of Conduct was advocated for and fully endorsed by all our members, representing over 200 companies across 13 European countries. This is proof that the entire bakery ingredients industry is coming together and playing its part in advancing common, responsible sourcing practices.
1 "Bakery Products Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 -2030," Grand View Research, 2023.