Pillar 1 Sustainable Products
We design our range to promote sustainable consumption, prevent negative impacts at the production and processing stage and preserve natural resources for future generations. To make sustainable shopping as transparent and simple as possible, in our own-label brands we are committed to organic, fairly traded and regionally produced products in the food and non-food segment. Transparent and traceable product chains and the implementation of sustainable minimum standards for critical raw materials are a particular priority. The humane treatment of animals and reducing packaging materials are as important to us as the involvement of brand manufacturers in our strategy.
Coop is the most expert provider of particularly sustainable ranges.
150
Over 150 new Naturaplan products
25%
NATURA
TRANSGOURMET-GRUPPE: Launch of new own-label organic brand NATURA
Uncompromisingly ORGANIC
Organic agriculture is considerate of people, animals and the environment. By relying on robust, non-GM varieties, varied crop rotation and dispensing with chemical-synthetic pesticides, growth regulators and hormones, as well as protecting the climate it helps preserve biodiversity and soil fertility. Smaller numbers, more space in the barn and access to the outdoors increase animal welfare.
Therefore, we keep expanding our organic range every year, with the aim of promoting environmentally friendly cultivation, encouraging consumers to make more environmentally conscious decisions and, through sustainable production, protecting our natural resources – the earth, water and air.
- Target We are expanding our position as a leading supplier of organic products in the Swiss retail sector and, in 2021, will generate sales of CHF 1,630 million with organic products.
Target indicator: in CHF m
- CommentsAccepted standards: Bio Suisse bud label, organic bud label, Naturaplan, Demeter, EU organic logo, BioRe
We have already achieved our 2021 target. Due to lockdown and working from home during the pandemic, our customers prepared more of their meals at home and bought lots of organic products. - Outlook and challengesTo meet the growing desire for high-quality organic products and to further expand the range, in the new multi-year target period 2022-2026 we will be pursuing even more ambitious organic targets.
- Measures
- Constant expansion of the organic and Demeter range
- Active marketing of our own-label organic brand Naturaplan
- Promotion of organic agriculture through various Fund projects and actions
- Partnership with the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
- Strategic partnership with Bio Suisse since 1993
- Promotion of organically produced textiles and cosmetics through our own-label brand Naturaline
- Inner Drive & projects New action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society. New Coop Fund project: Reducing the supply gap for organic cider fruit in order to safeguard security of supply of Swiss organic fruit juice products for Coop
New Coop Fund project: Feasibility study of the procurement of organic Fairtrade-certified coconut oil and other potential coconut products from the Côte d’Ivoire. - Highlights & figures
- Over 150 new Naturaplan products
- Naturaplan sales: 90.2% of our organic sales
- Over 40 new Demeter products (increase in sales of 70.5%)
- Target We are increasing sales of organic products to CHF 323 million.
Fill-level meter: CHF million
- Comments
Accepted standards: Organic bud label, Demeter, BioRe, EU organic logo
We have substantially exceeded our 2021 target. - Outlook and challenges Although we have already exceeded our transitional target for 2021, we will continue to pursue our strategy over the next year and set even more ambitious targets in the new target period from 2022–2026.
- Measures
- Ongoing switch to, and greater use of organically-produced raw materials
- Promotion of organic agriculture through various Fund projects and actions at the production stage
- Inner Drive & projects New action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Highlights & figures
- HALBA: More organic chocolate during the pandemic? 23% increase in sales!
- REISMÜHLE BRUNNEN: Growth in sales of dual-certified rice: organic and fair-trade, 25% increase in exports of organic rice
- NUTREX: 3 new organic vinegars
- Target
We are increasing sales of organic products to CHF 82.3 million.
Target indicator: in CHF m
- CommentsAccepted standards: Organic bud label, Demeter, BioRe, EU organic logo
We were unable to achieve our target. The closures of catering and hotel businesses due to the pandemic caused problems for us and led to a decline in sales throughout Wholesale, including in the organic range. Despite the challenging conditions, we were able to increase our sales of organic products year-on-year. - Outlook and challenges
We will continue adding to our range of organically produced products, in order to further boost sustainability sales. With this in mind, last year we launched our Natura own-label organic brand. Transgourmet Switzerland alone will stock around 200 organic products by the end of 2021. - Measures
- Ongoing expansion of our range of organic products (organic bud label, EU organic logo)
- Promotion and expansion of the newly-launched Natura own-label organic brand with country-specific and international products
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: Expansion and promotion of its own-label organic brand “natürlich für uns”
- Highlights & figures
- TRANSGOURMET GRUPPE: Launch of new own-label organic brand NATURA
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: Launch with over 100 Natura items (65 year-round, approx. 45 seasonal fruits and vegetables)
- TRANSGOURMET GROUP: 5% increase in sales achieved despite pandemic
SDGs
Coop is the most expert provider of particularly sustainable ranges.
No.1
We are the world’s largest supplier of Fairtrade products.
50%
50% of all Max Havelaar products in Switzerland passed through a Coop check-out in 2020
21%
FAIRTRADE FOCUS ON FAIRNESS
We scrutinize processes: the cultivation of raw materials, processing, trade. To combat poverty and ensure appropriate manufacturing conditions, we have been partnering with Max Havelaar since 1992. The Fairtrade label designates sustainably cultivated fair-trade products from developing countries and emerging markets. Minimum prices guarantee higher and stable incomes, and the Fairtrade premium supports the creation and expansion of local infrastructures, safety or health projects, education and training as well as quality improvements. Long-term trade relationships assure producers they can rely on sales of their goods. Each year, we invest in the expansion of our Fairtrade range and prioritize fairly produced products.
- Target
We are increasing sales of products with the Fairtrade Max Havelaar label by a factor of 2.7 (compared with 2012).Target indicator: in CHF m
- Comments Accepted standards: all Max Havelaar labels
We have already almost achieved our 2021 target. Due to lockdown and working from home during the pandemic, our consumers ate more at home and bought lots of fairly produced products. - Outlook and challenges We are continuing to expand our measures and will remain committed next year to our inner drive and our collaboration with Fairtrade.
- Measures
- Promotion of fairly produced and traded products with social added value
- Addition of more Fairtrade products and Fairtrade Sourced Ingredients (FSI) to the range
- Partnership with Max Havelaar since 1992
- Promotion of the development of the mountain regions through our own-label brand Pro Montagna: a contribution from each product sold goes to the Coop Aid for Mountain Regions Sponsorship Programme.
- Promotion of fair-trade textiles and cosmetics through our own-label brand Naturaline
- Inner Drive & projects
New action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
New action: No. 391: Living Wage project with Max Havelaar: paying a living wage on two Fairtrade organic banana plantations in the Dominican Republic New action: No. 394: Philippine fishing families receive a fixed Fairtrade premium per kilogram to support the sustainable catching of Fairtrade yellowfin tuna. - Highlights & figures
- No.1: We are the world’s largest supplier of Fairtrade products.
- 50% of all Max Havelaar products in Switzerland passed through a Coop check-out in 2020
- TargetWe are increasing sales of products bearing the Fairtrade Max Havelaar label by 317% (compared with 2012).Target indicator: in CHF m
- Comments Accepted standards: Fairtrade Max Havelaar
We have substantially exceeded our 2021 target. - Outlook and challenges The use of, and switch to Fairtrade products will remain a focus over the coming year. Reismühle Brunnen and Nutrex are already investigating new products to which to make the switch.
- Measures
- Steadily increasing the use of fairly produced and traded raw materials and products with social added value
- Ongoing switch to, and expansion of the range of Fairtrade products and Fairtrade Sourced Ingredients (FSI)
- Inner Drive & projects New action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Highlights & figures
- HALBA: Increase of 21% in sales of Fairtrade products compared with previous year
- Target
We are increasing sales of products with social added value to CHF 40 million.
Target indicator: in CHF m
- Comments Accepted standards: Fairtrade Max Havelaar, UTZ, Rainforest Alliance
The closures of catering and hotel businesses led to a decline in sales throughout wholesale, including in the Fairtrade range. - Outlook and challengesFor 2021, we plan to more prominently advertise and monitor target achievement for Fairtrade products and products from responsible sources.
- Measures
- Promotion of fairly produced and traded products with social added value
- Ongoing process of switching the range to Fairtrade products
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: cooperation with Fairtrade Max Havelaar
- Inner Drive & projects
Due to the pandemic, no concrete projects could be implemented.
SDGs
Coop is the most expert provider of particularly sustainable ranges.
89%
of our delivery sales volume is channelled to producers and suppliers from Switzerland
89%
BELL FOOD GROUP AG (Bell Switzerland): 89% of meat and meat products from Switzerland
1 600
TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: regional range of over 1,600 articles
Truly REGIONAL
Regional products boost regional value creation and promote structurally weak regions. We offer attractive sales opportunities to smaller, artisanal producers in particular. In so doing, we promote value creation in the individual regions, as well as local and transparent products with the shortest possible transport routes. Furthermore, Swiss products satisfy the more stringent social and environmental Swiss minimum standards. Therefore, we would like to offer you a seasonal range of authentic flavours for every region.
- Target We are increasing sales of regional products to CHF 500 million.
Target indicator: in CHF m
- Comments Accepted standards: Miini Region (incl. Bio-Regio), Pro Montagna, Swiss Parks, AOP/IGP, Marchio Ticino
Adding more regional products and achieving further sales growth remained difficult in 2020. - Outlook and challenges
The target will no longer apply in the new multi-year target period 2022–2026. We share our stakeholders’ view that, despite many advantages, regional products are not automatically more sustainable than those produced outside the respective region. However, we will continue investing in promoting structurally weak regions. - Measures
- The bulk of our investments are channelled to Swiss service providers and producers.
- Swiss partners and increase in sales of Swiss products
- Promotion of our own-label brands Miini Region and Pro Montagna
- Highlights & figures
- 89% of our delivery sales volume is channelled to producers and suppliers from Switzerland
- Target We promote the use of Swiss raw materials.
- Comments At the Bell Food Group AG, the target only includes Swiss companies.
We have achieved our target and were able to implement various measures. The only challenges arose at Reismühle Brunnen. Due to the poor rice harvest in Ticino, only small quantities of Swiss rice were available on the market. - Outlook and challenges We remain committed to products from Switzerland and are strengthening our collaboration with local producers. HALBA, for instance, plans to add brown and green Swiss lentils to its range next year.
- Measures
- Ongoing product range expansion and switch to Swiss raw materials
- Greater cooperation with regional partners and suppliers
- Highlights & figures
- SWISSMILL: consistently high volumes of Swiss cereals purchased throughout the year: 225,000 t of cereal milled, Swiss organic pure spelt launched as a new product
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (Bell Switzerland): 89% of meat and meat products from Switzerland
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (Hilcona): 78% of fruit and vegetables from Switzerland
- NUTREX: All fruit juices for fruit vinegar manufacture now come from Switzerland
- HALBA: various raw materials switched to Swiss origin: 100% of sugar, milk powder, yellow millet, dried beans and Alpine herbs for nut mixes
- Target We offer our customers an expert range of regional and local products.
- Comments
We have achieved our target. We were able to implement various measures to increase and promote the regional range at all national subsidiaries. - Outlook and challengesAs the Transgourmet Group, we provide important impetus for regional consumption in restaurants and contract catering. Going forward, we will continue meeting this rising demand by expanding our own-label brand Origine/Ursprung/Vonatur.
- Measures
- Expansion of and active advertising for the regional range specific to each country
- Closer cooperation with local suppliers
- Diversification of local range of fruit and vegetables
- Promotion of our own-label brand Origine/Ursprung/Vonatur: each product is backed by a product and producer history.
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: addition of AOP and IGP products to range
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: promotion of domestic agriculture through the partnership with “Land schafft Leben” (Land creates life)
- Highlights & figures
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: regional range of over 1,600 articles
- TRANSGOURMET RUSSIA: 25% of range from regional producers
SDGs
Coop is the most expert provider of particularly sustainable ranges.
96%
Lumimart: 96% of sales from efficient lighting (efficiency class A or higher)
25
Naturaline bio & fair: Our own-label brand turns 25.
0%
0% peat in our compost range
NON-FOOD IN HARMONY WITH PEOPLE AND NATURE
Our retail range includes a large number of non-food products: from clothes, laundry detergents and wood for crafts, to electronic appliances.
Many of these raw materials are cultivated and processed in countries with heightened social and environmental risks. To also ensure responsible product and transparent supply chains for this part of our range, we have developed our own Oecoplan quality label and the own-label brand Naturaline bio & fair for textiles as well as Naturaline Swiss Cosmetics. By continually expanding our range of own-label products produced according to environmentally-friendly and socially acceptable standards, we support sustainable consumer decisions in the non-food segment.
- Target We are increasing salesof environmentally friendly products in the non-food segment to CHF 650 million.
Target indicator: in CHF m
- CommentsAccepted standards: Oecoplan, Naturaline, FSC, Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel, Natrue, BDIH, Ecocert, Cosmos, Topten, Natureplus, Solidarité
We have already exceeded our 2021 target by an incredible CHF 87 million. - Outlook and challengesThese figures underline growing customer demand for environmentally-friendly products. We will remain committed to our own-label sustainability brands over the next year too.
- Measures
- Promotion and expansion of the range with our sustainable own-label brands:
Oecoplan: Non- and near-food products and services with guaranteed transparent value chains, audited social requirements and recognized international ecolabels with added environmental value (for more, see our Oecoplan Guideline)
Naturaline Swiss Cosmetics: certified natural and organic cosmetics
Naturaline bio & fair: socially responsible and environmentally friendly production of textiles, 100% organic cotton (Naturaline Guideline) - Partnership with the WWF and cooperation with the establishment of Oecoplan in 1989
- Due to social and environmental challenges in production, the raw materials wood, palm oil and cotton are treated as critical raw materials and we subject them to more intense scrutiny.
- Promotion and expansion of the range with our sustainable own-label brands:
- Highlights & figures
- Lumimart: 96% of sales from efficient lighting (efficiency class A or higher)
- Naturaline bio & fair: Our own-label brand turns 25.
- 0% peat in our compost range
SDGs
Coop has transparent product chains that take account of people, animals and the environment.
100%
Full transparency through mapping projects and analyses of the entire supply chains for coffee, processed tomatoes and eggs for processing
83%
of food processors Audited according to social standards (BSCI or equivalent)
VISIBLE TRANSPARENCY
We want to know where our products come from and the conditions in which they were produced. The more complex the value chains, the harder it is to know them at every level and ensure compliance with sustainability standards. To boost transparency and traceability along the entire production and supply chain, we continually analyse our existing supply chains and adapt them to new insights. To enable our customers to make transparent buying decisions, origin, product contents and manufacturing conditions must be clear, and visible on the packaging. We also publish our commitment in the annual Sustainability Progress Report and report openly and honestly on our targets and whether we have achieved them.
- Target
We create transparency/traceability of own-label brands beyond the production and supply chain. - Comments
We have achieved our target and implemented various measures for transparency and traceability. For instance, we have meticulously analysed the entire value chain for three high-risk products and their journey from field to our supermarkets. - Outlook and challengesFor the new target period 2022 – 2026 we are planning 100% traceability for critical raw materials for our entire own-label range. In addition, in 2021 we will carry out more mapping projects for the high-risk raw materials hazelnuts and tea.
- Measures
… in production and processing- Promotion of transparency and traceability through continual risk screening and monitoring as well as effective optimization of product chains
- Ensuring traceability for Coop own-label brands up to at least the last value-adding processing stage and, for critical raw materials, right back to primary production
- Critical raw materials: compliance with sustainable minimum and animal welfare standards
- Non-food and processed products: auditing of suppliers for social standards in risk countries (amfori BSCI)
- Own-label brands Naturaplan and Naturafarm Poulet: traceability back to the farm, with ID code/name of producer on the packaging
- Own-label brand Naturaline bio & fair: traceability through numerical code beyond production stages
- Our Guideline on Sustainable Sourcing: applies to all of our business partners as well as suppliers of own-label brands AND third-party brands
- Our Code of Conduct: prohibits any form of exploitation, extortion, bribery or corruption
- …. at the sales outlet
- Our Labelling Guideline: guarantees transparent and clear product labelling, certifications with sustainability standards for conscious consumer decisions
- Inner Drive & projects
Full transparency through mapping projects and analyses of the entire supply chains for coffee, processed tomatoes and eggs for processing - Highlights & figures
- Audited according to social standards (BSCI or equivalent):
- food processors: 83%
- non-food product processors: 92%
- food importers: 74%
- non-food product importers: 91%
- official complaints concerning deficient labelling:
- 26 (17 related to own-label brands and 9 to branded products)
- Product recalls: 24
- 19 food recalls (8 own-label brands and 11 branded products). Five instances involved products containing sesame which showed evidence of treatment with the banned fumigant ethylene oxide.
- 5 non-food product recalls (5 branded products)
- 83% in accordance with social standards (BSCI or equivalent) checked by food-product processors
- Audited according to social standards (BSCI or equivalent):
- Target We are able to transparently illustrate the product chain for all products and trace products through each production stage.
- Comments We have achieved our target and implemented various measures.
- Outlook and challenges Transparency to the first stage of processing is assured for all our raw materials. However, we repeatedly encounter challenges ensuring traceability to the origin. To overcome this hurdle, the issue of transparency will feature more prominently in the new multi-year targets, with specific quantitative targets.
- Measures
- Promotion of transparency and traceability through effective optimization of the product chains
- For critical raw materials: compliance with sustainable minimum standards, traceability back to primary production, compliance with animal welfare standards
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (BELL SWITZERLAND): integrated poultry and agricultural production, use of DNA analyses to check cattle for Swiss origin
- REISMÜHLE BRUNNEN/NUTREX: guaranteed traceability of all main raw materials, regular audits of new suppliers and growing regions
- SWISSMILL: guaranteed traceability of all raw materials to the first stage of processing
- STEINFELS SWISS: Guaranteed traceability of all chemical ingredients
- Inner Drive & projectsNew action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Highlights & figures
- 69% of all manufacturing companies have been audited for social standards (BSCI or equivalent).
- Target We are able to transparently illustrate the product chain for own-label products and trace products through each production stage.
- CommentsWe have achieved our target and implemented various measures at all national subsidiaries.
- Outlook and challengesWe have planned more projects for the coming year, and the issue of transparency will feature even more prominently in the new multi-year targets, with specific quantitative targets.
- Measures
- Expanding and promoting our own-label brand Origine/Ursprung/Vonatur: guaranteed traceability back to the producer
- Ongoing expansion of data collection, including product origin
- For critical raw materials: compliance with sustainable minimum standards, traceability back to primary production, compliance with animal welfare standards
- TRANSGOURMET FRANCE: establishment and dissemination of specific sustainable sourcing guideline for Transgourmet France, project started on the collection of product data for critical raw materials
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: guaranteed traceability is assured to one stage for each product
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: sharing of expertise and professional development in supply chain management launched, switch to new software for greater transparency on own-label products, performance of supplier audits
- TRANSGOURMET POLAND: traceability for own-label brands to raw material stage
- TRANSGOURMET ROMANIA: new guideline for product transparency across production stages has been written and launched
- TRANSGOURMET RUSSIA: new system for quality control implemented.
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: switch to an international own-label brand contract with regular supplier audits and supplier assessments
SDGs
Coop has transparent product chains that take account of people, animals and the environment.
>90%
Over 90% of the avocados from our Chilean, Peruvian and Spanish suppliers are grown with sustainable water management
100%
HALBA: 100% certified palm oil (RSPO), 100% sunflower and pumpkin seeds from Europe
New
TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: cakes and tarts switched from palm oil to sunflower oil
FOCUS ON RAW MATERIALS
Together with our stakeholders, we have identified the critical raw materials in our purchasing, and the biggest environmental and social challenges encountered in their production. As the Coop Group, we want to consistently enforce sustainable minimum standards in primary production, in order to minimize our negative impacts. We focus on countries of origin where there is an increased risk of violations of social and environmental standards.
Rohstoffe E
What percentage of the critical raw materials used in our own brands meet sustainable minimum standards?
COCOA
Challenges Working conditions, water, pesticide use, child labour
Criteria FT, Bio Suisse, UTZ, Rainforest
COFFEE
Challenges Working conditions, water, pesticide use, child labour
Criteria FT, Bio Suisse, UTZ, Rainforest
HAZELNUTS
Challenges Working conditions, child labour
Criteria Bio Suisse, UTZ
PALM OIL
Challenges Deforestation, child labour, land-use conflicts
Criteria RSPO IP, RSPO seg. Bio Suisse
PALM OIL NON-FOOD
Challenges Deforestation, child labour, land-use conflicts
Criteria RSPO IP, RSPO seg. RSPO MB, Bio Suisse
RICE
Challenges Deforestation, working conditions, child labour, methane emissions
Criteria FT, Bio Suisse
SOYA IN ANIMAL FEED
Challenges Deforestation, water, working conditions
Criteria Bio Suisse, ProTerra, Danube Soya, RTRS Non GM (data relate to imports of Soy Network Switzerland)
FRUIT, VEGETABLES
Challenges Traceability/pesticide use
Criteria GlobalGap/SwissGAP
Challenges Water
Criteria SPRING
Challenges Working conditions
Criteria FT, Rainforest, SA8000, IMO, BSCI PP, GRASP, SIZA, Sedex/SMETA
FRUIT, VEGETABLES, PROCESSED
Challenges Traceability/pesticide use
Criteria GlobalGap / SwissGAP
Challenges Working conditions
Criteria FT, Rainforest, SA8000, IMO, BSCI PP, GRASP, SIZA, Sedex/SMETA
FLOWERS, PLANTS
Challenges Traceability/pesticide use
Criteria GlobalGap/SwissGAP
Challenges Working conditions
Criteria FT, Rainforest, SA8000, IMO, BSCI PP, GRASP, SIZA, Sedex/SMETA
WOOD / PAPER
Challenges Deforestation, working conditions
Criteria FSC, PEFC, Recycling
COTTON
Challenges Water, pesticide use, child labour
Criteria FT, Bio Suisse, bioRE, BCI, CmiA, OCS
FISH
Challenges Overfishing, bycatch, working conditions, antibiotic and pesticide use
Criteria WWF Score 1 – 3
MEET
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, Naturafarm, PAS, ROEL, Natura Beef, Natura Veal, Import: CH AniPA
MILK
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, PAS, ROEL, Import: CH AniPA
CHEESE
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, BTS, RAUS, Import: CH AniPA
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, PAS, ROEL, Import: CH AniPA
EGGS
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, Naturafarm, PAS, ROEL Import: CH AniPA
EGGS PROCESSED
Challenges Animal welfare
Criteria Bio Suisse, Suisse Garantie, Naturafarm, BTS, ROEL Import: CH AniPA
- TargetWe secure sustainable purchasing over the long term for key raw materials.
We apply at least minimum sustainability standards to 94.1% of critical raw materials used in our own-label brands.
Target indicator: %
- Comments We have already almost achieved our 2021 target. We implemented various projects and made improvements for almost all our raw materials identified as critical. However, the pandemic put a spoke in our wheel, and we had to import more meat in order to satisfy increased demand. Moreover, there was a shortage of certified fruit and vegetables on the market. The use of certified palm oil in the non-food segment also remains a challenge.
- Outlook and challengesNext year, we will display particular commitment to raising sustainable minimum standards for fruit and vegetables, meat, and palm oil in non-food products.
- Measures
- Systematically implementing sustainable minimum standards for critical raw materials in primary production.
- Fair, long-term and trusting business relationships
- Commitment to the ongoing development of sustainable minimum standards through active involvement in appropriate committees (go to our Memberships)
- Partnerships with the WWF, Max Havelaar and Bio Suisse of many years’ standing
- Guideline on Sustainable Sourcing: applies to all of our business partners as well as suppliers of own-label brands and third-party brands.
- Our Code of Conduct: prohibits any form of exploitation, extortion, bribery or corruption
- Violations of our provisions or non-compliance with the requirements of internationally recognized standards: immediate rectification, sanctions which might even entail terminating the business relationship
- New membership of Palm Oil Network Switzerland
- Inner Drive & projectsNew action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
New action: No. 392: Expansion of the range with environmentally friendly, sustainable products according to IP Suisse guidelines in our own-label line Qualité & Prix
New action: No. 394: Philippine fishing families receive a fixed Fairtrade premium per kilogram to sustainable the sustainable catching of Fairtrade yellowfin tuna. - Highlights & figures
- 15 of our strawberry producers in the province of Huelva consumed 20% less water, thanks to the installation of a modern irrigation system
- Over 90% of the avocados from our Chilean, Peruvian and Spanish suppliers are grown with sustainable water management
- New membership of Palm Oil Network Switzerland
- TargetWe secure sustainable purchasing over the long term for key raw materials.
We apply minimum sustainability standards to 85% of our critical raw materials.
Target indicator: %
- CommentsNot all our manufacturing companies use the same raw materials. Therefore, this target applies to the sourcing volume for:
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (BELL SWITZERLAND) meat, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, fish, palm oil
- COOP BAKERIES milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, cocoa, hazelnuts, palm oil
- HALBA: milk, cocoa beans/cocoa butter, hazelnuts
- NUTREX: no critical raw materials
- REISMÜHLE BRUNNEN: rice
- STEINFELS SWISS: palm oil
- HALBA: fruit and vegetables, cocoa, hazelnuts
- SWISSMILL: milk
We have not been able to implement sustainable minimum standards for critical raw materials across the board. For example, while Bell Food Group AG (Bell Switzerland) increased the volume of meat it sold in accordance with Swiss animal protection legislation compared with the previous year, it failed to meet the target set. Moreover, there was a shortage of certified fruit and vegetables on the market last year, which proved particularly problematic for HALBA when it came to achieving its target. - Outlook and challengesIn 2021 we will do our utmost to achieve our target.
- Measures
- Systematically implementing sustainable minimum standards for our critical raw materials in primary production
- HALBA: various projects started for cocoa beans, hazelnuts, mangos and coconut oil
- SWISSMILL: long-term partnerships and further expansion with certified organic products from Switzerland
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG: long-term partnerships with suppliers, expansion of integrated poultry and agricultural production
- Inner Drive & projectsNew action: No. 382: By 2023, small farmers will be producing organic and Fairtrade-certified premium cocoa on an area of 90 hectares in Madagascar. The project is being run in collaboration with HALBA, Zoo Zürich and Wildlife Conservation Society.
- Highlights & figures
- COOP BAKERY: switch to palm oil-free doughs
- HALBA: 100% certified palm oil (RSPO), 100% sunflower and pumpkin seeds from Europe
- SWISSMILL: introduction of organic pure spelt on Coop shelves
- REISMÜHLE BRUNNEN: sustainable Fund projects in India and Thailand
- STEINFELS SWISS: 100% certified palm oil (RSPO)
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (BELL SWITZERLAND): 100% certified palm oil (RSPO or organic)
- Target We promote sustainability standards for the critical raw materials used in our own-label brands.
- Comments
We have partially achieved the target. At various national subsidiaries, we have defined new criteria for sourcing critical raw materials and added new raw materials to our scope of application. Due to the pandemic, the issue was not tackled at Transgourmet Österreich and Transgourmet Switzerland also had to suspend its planned risk analysis in the fish and seafood segment. - Outlook and challengesVarious switches are planned for the next year. In the new multi-year target period 2022-2026, all national subsidiaries will focus more intensely on critical raw materials and adopt quantitative targets to make their ranges more sustainable.
- Measures
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: eggs and soya added to the scope of critical raw materials
- TRANSGOURMET POLAND: the four critical raw materials for its own-label brand TOPSELLER identified
- TRANSGOURMET FRANCE: range screening for new critical raw materials in own-label brands underway
- Highlights & figures
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: cakes and tarts switched from palm oil to sunflower oil
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: increase in sales of MSC and ASC products and use of 100% sustainable palm oil (certified to RSPO)
SDGs
Coop has transparent product chains that take account of people, animals and the environment.
13.5%
Increase of 13.% year on year in sales of products with added animal welfare value
100%
HALBA: switch to 100% free-range eggs and milk powder from Switzerland
5
TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: 5 new meat products added to the range under the organic own-label brand
BETTER ANIMAL WELFARE
Eggs, milk and meat: we and our customers want these raw materials to come only from humanely reared animals, so we have firmly enshrined animal welfare in our strategy. Animal welfare refers both to the health and well-being of livestock and their ability to engage in natural behaviours.
To ensure humane animal husbandry practices have been followed, we are committed to stringent, recognized animal welfare standards, promote innovative solutions for improving husbandry, and create a distinctive profile through various projects and schemes to promote animal welfare.
- Target We implement more rigorous animal welfare standards for our entire meat, dairy and egg range (satisfying Swiss legislation as a minimum) and promote innovative solutions to improve commercial livestock husbandry.
- CommentsWe have achieved our target and were able to start various animal welfare-related projects thanks to funding from our Coop Sustainability Fund. Furthermore, we insist on observance of minimum animal welfare standards for all our animal raw materials (go to our Raw Materials Road Map).
- Outlook and challengesAn animal welfare strategy for the whole group will be drawn up in 2021. More flagship projects are also being planned.
- Measures
- Promotion and implementation of more stringent animal welfare standards in the meat, milk and eggs range: organic production, access-to-range and free-range farming, Swiss origin (advantages: quality, short transport distances, tough animal welfare legislation)
- Guideline on Sustainable Sourcing:
- ban on hormones and growth promoters that are prohibited in Switzerland, and on preventive antibiotic use throughout the range
- ban on products produced using practices involving cruelty to animals (foie gras, frogs’ legs), eggs from caged hens, real fur, mulesing, live plucking, feed lots
- long-term partnership with Swiss Animal Protection (SAP)
- promotion and marketing of our animal welfare own-label brands
- Naturaplan: guaranteed by compliance with the Bio Suisse guidelines including smaller numbers, more space in the barn and access to the outdoors
- Naturafarm: guaranteed regular outdoor exercise (ROEL) and particularly animal-friendly stabling (PAS)
- Coop animal welfare programmes: free-range geese, PAS rabbits and PAS chicken Switzerland, PAS and ROEL turkeys Switzerland, pasture grazing for horses
- Implementation of flagship projects: grassland pigs, mountain pigs ,dual-purpose chickens, Original Simmertaler, Natura-Beef (rearing calves with their own or foster mothers)
- More information about our commitment to animal welfare at Animal Welfare Report 2020
- Highlights & figures
- Increase of 13.5% year on year in sales of products with added animal welfare value
- Naturafarm Porc handed over to IP Suisse: our more stringent animal welfare standards will now be supplemented with IP Suisse environmental and biodiversity criteria.
- Target We ensure that the animal raw materials used (meat, dairy, eggs) originate from humane animal husbandry.
- Comments We have achieved our target and started various projects to promote animal welfare.
- Outlook and challengesAn animal welfare strategy for the whole group will be drawn up in 2021. Our manufacturing company Bell Schweiz AG (a division of BELL FOOD GROUP AG) is planning further measures, such as switching to 100% suckler cow husbandry for veal for our Naturafarm own-label brand.
- Measures
- Promotion of higher animal welfare standards for animal raw materials (range being switched to raw materials produced using organic or access-to-range and free-range methods)
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (BELL SWITZERLAND): annual audits of slaughterhouses by independent inspection bodies, own don’ts list with bans on products involving cruel treatment of animals, founder and committed supporter of the Verein Original Simmertaler to promote Simmental cattle
- Inner Drive & projects
New action: No. 389: Launch of a completely energy-neutral, CO2-free poultry house according to particularly animal-friendly stabling (PAS) criteria - Highlights & figures
- BELL FOOD GROUP AG (Bell Switzerland): 32% of meat and meat products have an animal welfare label
- HALBA: switch to 100% free-range eggs and milk powder from Switzerland
- Target We are mindful of animal welfare throughout our range and create a distinctive profile in selected ranges.
- CommentsWe have only partially achieved our target. The pandemic has delayed a number of aspects.
- Outlook and challengesAn animal welfare strategy for the whole group will be drawn up in 2021. We remain committed to humanely produced raw materials of animal origin and, in the new multi-year target period 2022–2026, will pay even more attention to these animal-based raw materials with quantitative targets.
- Measures
- Promotion and implementation of higher animal welfare standards in the meat, milk and egg range (range being switched to raw materials produced using organic or access-to-range and free-range methods)
- Launch of new Transgourmet own-label brand Natura, with organically produced raw materials of animal origin
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: products with added value from an animal welfare perspective under the Origine own-label brand: meat from grass-fed cattle reared according to particularly animal-friendly and natural suckler cow methods, free-range chicken and guineafowl, organic salmon, organic shrimps
- TRANSGOURMET FRANCE: launch of projects in the area of eggs and chicken, new guideline on “Sustainable Sourcing” including animal welfare criteria
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: Ongoing expansion of own-label brand Vonatur (3rd stage satisfies organic guidelines) with guaranteed traceability back to the producer
- TRANSGOURMET RUSSIA: caged eggs will be eliminated from the range by 2025
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: partner to the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, caged eggs will be eliminated by the end of 2021, new “Animal Welfare” guideline with defined minimum requirements
- TRANSGOURMET ROMANIA: caged eggs will be eliminated from the range by 2025, increase in sales involving animal-based raw materials from agricultural farming and free-range methods.
- Highlights & figures
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: 5 new meat products added to the range under the organic own-label brand
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: launch of 5 new animal-based products under the Natura organic own-label brand
SDGs
Coop has transparent product chains that take account of people, animals and the environment.
47 tonnes
Salad and muesli now in cardboard trays: saving of 47 tonnes of plastic per year
523 tonnes
PRODUCTION: 523 tonnes of packaging material saved
770 000
TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: saving of 770,000 styropor trays and 8,000 rolls of shrink wrap
PACKAGING: REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE
The manufacture and disposal of packaging can have a negative environmental impact. To save resources and avoid waste, we are continually reducing and optimizing our packaging material according to the 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). As part of this, when conducting the life-cycle assessment we must take account not just of the material, but also the packaging in conjunction with its functions and the influence on shelf life, contamination or damage to the product. If necessary in order to protect the product and preserve quality, we use more environmentally-friendly materials or recycled materials. This enables to save not only on resources, but also a lot of energy that is used in manufacture, transport and disposal.
- TargetWe are reducing and optimizing our packaging material by 4,500 tonnes (compared with 2012).
Target indicator: Tonnes
- CommentsThanks to innovative optimization projects, we have already achieved our 2021 target and reduced (20%) or optimized (80%) our packaging material by around 1,850 tonnes. We have switched to recycled plastic for washing-up liquid, oil bottles and plant pots and for all of the 24.5 million or so Swiss Alpina PET bottles sold each year.
- Outlook and challengesTo save resources, we will channel our inner drive into switching to creative solutions for packaging in future. According to our Packaging Roadmap we will reduce plastics by 20% by 2026.
- Measures
- Reduction in our packaging material along the entire value chain
- Expansion of range of unpackaged products (particularly fruit and vegetables)
- Closure of cycles by reusing reusable materials
- Optimization of our packaging material by using innovative packaging options with an equivalent or better life-cycle assessment
- Ban on bioplastics
- Switch from paper and cardboard packaging to recycled or FSC material (Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products from sustainable forestry)
- Promotion of packaging recycling with recycling stations at sales outlets
- Open sale of nuts, dried fruits, cereals and pulses
- No printed till receipts
- Promotion of shopping with a multi-bag (multi-purpose bag made from FSC cellulose – Action no. 352)
- Partnerships in the circular economy
- Inner Drive & projects
New action: No. 383: 432 tonnes of new plastic saved thanks to recycling
New action No. 390: Plastic disposable cutlery no longer provided for take-aways, replaced with wooden cutlery - Highlights & figures
- Naturaline cotton buds: 100% plastic-free, 100% organic cotton, FSC cardboard packaging
- Salad and muesli now in cardboard trays: saving of 47 tonnes of plastic per year
- Transport trays for garden pots made from old fridge components
- TargetWe are reducing and optimizing our packaging material by 2,700 tonnes compared with 2012 (end packaging and repackaging, end packaging is the priority).
Target indicator: Tonnes
- Comments We have achieved our target. In innovation projects to reduce packaging, our manufacturing companies Bell Food Group AG and Steinfels Swiss were ahead of the field this year.
- Outlook and challenges
We will continue with these measures over the next year. - Measures
- Reduction in our packaging material along the entire value chain (particularly cling film and corrugated cardboard)
- Optimization of our packaging material by using innovative packaging options with an equivalent or better life-cycle assessment
- Highlights & figures
- NUTREX: switch to redesigned plastic bottles: saving of 7 tonnes of PET in bottles plus 3.2 tonnes of PET in plastic lids
- STEINFELS SWISS: 138% increase in recycled materials used in plastic packaging
- PRODUCTION: 523 tonnes of packaging material saved
- Target We analyse the relevant packaging volumes that we are able to influence and set reduction and optimization targets on that basis.
- CommentsWe have partially achieved our target. A few measures were implemented. Due to the pandemic, Transgourmet Russia has postponed its announced analysis of packaging materials.
- Outlook and challengesIn the new multi-year target period 2022-2026, we are planning quantitative reduction and optimization targets for our packaging.
- Measures
- Use of sustainable packaging and reusable solutions, plastic-free where possible
- Ongoing review of product packaging to identify potential improvements
- Switch to open sale for fruit and vegetables
- TRANSGOURMET SWITZERLAND: preparation of potential assessments, implementation planned for next year
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: analysis of own-label products and appropriate measures: recommended actions, materials register, trainings, replacement of packaging with more sustainable alternatives
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: various optimization projects completed (fruit and vegetables now in FSC-certified cardboard trays, reusable inserts instead of PVC shrink wrap, packaging of organic bananas switched from plastic to cellulose and packaging of oranges and lemons switched to cotton nets
- TRANSGOURMET POLAND: reusable bags introduced for open sale, new environmentally-friendly packaging
- TRANSGOURMET ROMANIA: ongoing switch from plastic to cardboard
- Inner Drive & projects
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: Sustainable Packaging project (financed by our Coop Sustainability Fund)
- TRANSGOURMET FRANCE: fish and seafood reusable containers rolled out to other ranges
- Highlights & figures
- TRANSGOURMET GERMANY: reduction of 46% in shrink wrap used
- TRANSGOURMET ÖSTERREICH: saving of 770,000 styropor trays and 8,000 rolls of shrink wrap
SDGs
Coop has transparent product chains that take account of people, animals and the environment.
2022
BRAND RANGE CLEAR STANDARDS IN BRANDED RANGE TOO
We believe our own-label brands offer by far the greatest scope for action. In order to help make the entire food industry more sustainable in the long run, we also require our brand manufacturers to comply with customary, or their own sustainability standards.
- Target We also require brand manufacturers to comply with customary sustainability standards or their own, adequate sustainability standards.
- CommentsWe have only partially achieved our target. Although sustainability issues are regularly discussed with brand manufacturers, our direct influence and scope for action is limited.
- Outlook and challenges Our next Green Business Partner Conference involving brand manufacturers is planned for 2022. We hold intensive discussions to raise awareness among our business partners surrounding sustainability and, together, identify potential for improvement and appropriate measures for our ranges.
- Measures
- Guideline on Sustainable Sourcing: applies to all of our business partners as well as suppliers of own-label brands AND third-party brands
- Definition of internal targets for critical raw materials in branded goods (coffee, cocoa, palm oil, fish and seafood, wood/paper and peat)
- Launch of branded products bearing the bud label under our own-label brand Naturaplan
- Highlights & figures
- Example: coffee
- Percentage of coffee that meets sustainability standard (brands): 8%
- Accepted standards: Fairtrade, Bio Suisse, EU organic logo, UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, 4C
- Example: palm oil
- Percentage of physically sustainable palm oil in food (brands): 50.5%
- Accepted standards: RSPO IP, RSPO Segregated, RSPO Mass Balance, Bio Suisse
- Example: coffee
SDGs
