Tailored fertilisation - fruit and vegetables

This requirement can be followed up, for example, by carrying out spot checks on delivered food products. This can be done, for example, by checking the following:

• Valid licence/certificate for a label/certification that covers the requirement, for example Svenskt Sigill/IP Sigill Frukt och Grönt [Swedish Seal/IP Seal Fruit & Vegetables]. 

Make use of specialist expertise in your organisation when following up the summitted evidence of compliance. This could, for example, be an environmental or sustainability strategist with extensive expertise within questions related to sustainability.

The criterium is relevant for conventionally grown fruit and vegetables. The criterium may be limited by market availability and may vary for different products and be subject to seasonal variation. Conduct a market analysis to ensure availability.
Market analysis (in Swedish) 

Fresh fruit and vegetables often lack a unique identification in the form of GTIN and the corresponding article information in the digital system. Therefore, follow-up can require significant resources, for both the purchaser and the supplier. 
More about GTIN and identification of fruit and vegetables (in English) 

The use of phosphorus and nitrogen in agriculture is one of the main causes of eutrophication in rivers, lakes, and seas. Leaching of phosphorus and nitrogen can cause algal blooms, loss of biodiversity and a less productive ecosystem. Leaching of nitrogen can also lead to the formation of the greenhouse gas nitrogen dioxide, that has a negative climate impact. Phosphorus and nitrogen are one of the areas that are close to or have reached the planatary boundaries¹.

In order to transition to a circular economy, it is important that agriculture reduces its dependency on mineral nitrogen, that is produced using fossil-based energy, and virgin phosphorus, that is a finite resource. By tailoring fertilisation, agriculture can conserve resources and reduce the risk for nutrient leaching and causing eutrophication.

It is becoming more common for agriculturists to work with fertilisation plans and to document fertiliser dosages. This is also a way of improving the profitability of the cultivation, as only the amount of fertiliser that is absolutely necessary is used. In Sweden, Focus on Nutrients provides advice to agriculturists who want help within this area, and there are similar initiatives in other countries. 

Read more about measures for reducing nutrient leaching on the Swedish Board of Agriculture's website (Swedish)

1. https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries/the-nine-planetary-boundaries.html 2023-05-30

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.