FreshProducePEFCR
FreshProducePEFCR
The FreshProducePEFCR was developed to address the growing need for a standardized environmental footprint methodology for the fresh produce sector, in light of the EU environmental footprint accountability requirements and the increasing transparency demands from the supply chain and consumers. To that end, Freshfel Europe and its members launched in 2022 the Environmental Footprint Initiative to develop together a fresh fruit and vegetable environmental footprint methodology (FreshProducePEFCR), database, and digital tools that are broadly accepted by the industry, stakeholders, 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. The FreshProducePEFCR follows a holistic approach, which covers 16 indicators to measure the environmental impact of a product, ranging from water to land use.
The technical work on the FreshProducePEFCR methodology, which was conducted by Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WUR), concluded at the end of 2025 with two workshops on the choice of energy allocation for Combined Heat Power (CHP) systems, to ensure that the most accurate and suitable models could be used in the calculations. During the workshops, a consensus was reached between LCA-experts, growers, and other stakeholders that exergy allocation for CHP systems was the best option to reflect the CHPs environmental impact and provide the right incentives for growers.
As the development phase of the methodology comes to an end, the project now moves to the next step for the FreshProducePEFCR: its adoption and implementation by the wide variety of actors in the fresh produce business. An online webinar with interested digital tool providers is being planned for Q1 of 2026, to be followed by a meeting with the retailers.
Useful links:
About Freshfel’s Environmental Footprint Initiative
Freshfel Europe members participating in the Freshfel Environmental Footprint Initiative include Ailimpo, ANPP, Apeel Sciences, Assomela, Bama Gruppen, Bayer AG, BVEO, COLEAD, Dole plc, Greenyard, Fresh Produce Centre, IG International, Interfel and VBT. Freshfel Europe itself is acting as the sector representative within the Initiative, with support and cooperation from the European Sprouted Seeds Association (ESSA) and Growing Media Europe.
More information about the activities of the Freshfel Environmental Footprint Initiative is available here.
Technical Secretariat FreshProducePEFCR
Freshfel Europe (Chair)
Wageningen Social & Economic Research (TS Support – Lead)
Dutch Fresh Produce Centre (GroentenFruit Huis)
Greenyard
Dole PLC
Mérieux Nutrisciences | Blonk (TS Support)
PRé Sustainability (TS Support)
For any questions regarding Freshfel’s Environmental Footprint Initiative, please contact Gil Kaufman at g.kaufman@freshfel.org.
