FROM FARM TO FORK

How the Belgian agro-food chain assures

sustainable food security and quality

BELGIAN AGRO-FOOD

CHAIN PLATFORM

Fairness, quality & sustainability

BELGIAN AGRO-FOOD CHAIN

Suppliers to agriculture seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, feed, machinery, utilities

Intermediary trade

Horticulture Arable

production Animal

production

Intermediary trade

First and second transformation

Wholesale

Consumers

Credit institutions

Public authorities

Association NGO

Research Extension Training

Production line

Agriculture

Food industry

Structure

BELGIAN AGRICULTURE A versatile sector

• A strong presence of different sectors

Wide range of products available

• Specialized rather small scale farmers

Professionalism and excellence

• Family farm businesses

Economy with a face

BELGIAN AGRICULTURE Facts & figures

• 1.358 mio ha of farm land

• 42 870 holdings

31.7 ha/holding

• 80 950 people employed

61 550 AWU’s

• 8.450 bio euro turnover

42,9 % crops

57,1 % animal production

• 2.288 bio euro added value

BELGIAN AGRICULTURE With a strong export vocation

• Exports worth 39.4 bio euro

16 % outside EU-28 and growing

Ranging from

Inputs: machinery, fertilizers, plant

protection products seeds

Knowledge and know how

Over agricultural high quality commodities

To food and drinks in a wide variety

Self sufficiency ratio

Potatoes 251

Fresh milk 145

Cream 154

Condensed milk 139

WMP 210

SMP 234

Beef/veal 140

Pigmeat 237

Poultry 147

Eggs 110

BELGIAN AGRICULTURE Safe, qualitative and sustainable products

• Assured safety and quality

Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain

Specifications

Traceability from farm to fork

• Strengthened by proximity of consumer

Farming in an urbanized region

• Demanding on all accounts of sustainability

Biodiversity, environment, resource efficiency,

emission reductions, animal welfare,…

TRACEABILITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Animal production

Supply

Agriculture

Processor

Retail

Consumer Consumer

Animals: genetics Feed: GMP, OVPG Veterinary medicine: GVP Other

Belbeef, Belpork, BCV, Belplume (animal health and welfare, feed, veterinary medicines), organic, others IKM ( Public monitoring programma, sanitel by-laws

Residu monitoring HACCP, hygiene rules

Specifications, GAP Meritus, Certus, Belplume

Consum

Sanitel

Beltrace

Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has to control and monitor about 200.000 agro-food firms

TRACEABILITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Crop production

Supply

Agriculture

Processor

Retail

Consumer Consumer

Seeds and plants Pest management products Treatments Other

OVPG, Vegaplan, Eurep Gap, Flandria Good farming practices, early warning systems Residu monitoring programs (public and private schemes)

Residu monitoring GMP, HACCP, certification schemes

Specifications, GAP Flandria, Vegaplan

Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has to control and monitor about 200.000 agro-food firms

BELGIAN AGRO-FOOD CHAIN Strong collaboration

• Agro-food chain platform

Representatives of suppliers, farmers, food industry and retail

• Setting the scene for

Faire trading practices

Code of conduct

Quality assurance schemes

Common specifications

Sustainability

Strategic plan

AGRO-FOOD CHAIN PLATFORM Code of conduct for fair trading practices

• First signed 20 May 2010, adjusted 10 June 2014 following mutual recognition with the European Supply Chain Initiative

• Scope Applies to all links in the chain and to all operators

Governs relations between purchasers and suppliers

Eleven recommendations on fair trading practices

• Legitimacy Signed by the representative sector organisations

Companies adhere on a voluntary basis by signing a “declaration for fair trading practices”

• Enforceability “Comply or explain”

Generic annual report (no individual files)

Minister and its administration are informed

AGRO-FOOD CHAIN PLATFORM Interprofessional agreements

• Detailing the code of conduct at sectorial level Framework for (individually or collectively

negotiated) contracts

Potential result: fairer producer prices

• Points of departure Level playing field for a balanced relationship

between the different partners in the Agro Food Chain

Respecting sectorial specificity and freedom of choice of all operators, especially farmers

AGRO-FOOD CHAIN PLATFORM Sustainable development

• Developing generic sustainability requirements Pro actively manage sustainable development

246 sustainability requirements identified − In specifications and check lists from retailers, food

service providers and multinational food companies

Generic sustainability requirements integrated in market access specifications −Vegaplan – crop production

− IKM/QFL – dairy

Transformation of the agro-food system −Project with support from the regional governments

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Dairy – IKM/QFL

• Sustainability monitoring throughout the dairy chain in a joint approach by farmers’ organizations and dairy industry Production - collection and transport – processing

• Sustainability Monitoring of dairy farms

List of 35 initiatives for more sustainable milk production (7 themes):

− Animal health

− Animal welfare

− Energy

− Environment

− Animal nutrition

− Water and soil

− Social en economic sustainability

Auditing by independent body : 1/3 of all dairy farms per year

Farmers’ organizations and dairy industry provide support

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Dairy – IKM/QFL

• Priorities: sustainability, quality and food security Conditions for sustainable growth for farmers and industry

2.600

2.700

2.800

2.900

3.000

3.100

3.200

3.300

3.400

3.500

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Melkleveringen (mio. L)Milk deliveries (mio. L)

Investments (mio. euros)

40

45

50

55

60

65

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Uitvoer Belgische zuivelindustrie (% van omzet)Export (% turnover)

231

247

270

282

311

337

356

369

389

0

100

200

300

400

500

2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

Milk deliveries by producer (1.000 L)

BELGIAN AGRO-FOOD CHAIN Strong collaboration

• Focus on Fairness

Quality

Sustainability

• Resulting in Responsiveness

Flexibility

Accountability

= strong basis for sustainable growth at home and abroad

Happy to partner Piet Vanthemsche

President of Boerenbond

President of the Belgian Agro-food Chain Platform

Vice chairman of the World Farmers Association (WFO)

Diestsevest 40

B-3000 Leuven

+32 16 28 66 01

Piet.Vanthemsche@boerenbond.be

THE AGRO-FOOD INDUSTRY

IN BELGIUM

A reputation of Quality, Diversity & Innovation

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Employers Food industry

Breakdown of companies by size

< 5 employees 5 - 9 employees 10 - 19 employees20 - 49 employees 50 - 99 employees 100 - 249 employees> 250 employees

BELGIAN FOOD INDUSTRY

A dynamic & flexible sector thanks to its SME’s

Only 61 of the

4.638 food

companies

employ > 250

people (1,3%)

BELGIAN FOOD INDUSTRY A growing industry and one of the most important

industries in Belgium

2013 Jobs (FTE) Businesses Turnover Added value

Export

Food industry

Total industry

% share of the food industry

Food industry

ranking

73,200 +0.5%

422,400

-2.9%

17.3%

1st

4,600 -2.7%

16,700

-3%

27,8%

1st

€ 48.2 bn +1.7%

€ 281.3 bn

-3.3%

17.1%

1st

€ 6,8 bn +1.7%

€ 42.8 bn

-1.8%

15.8 %

1st

€ 22,1 bn +2.2%

- -

3rd

BELGIAN FOOD INDUSTRY A solid & export-oriented industry

Diverse

Export-oriented:

exports = 50,1% of total turnover

13,7%

12,3%

9,7%

9,7%

9,6%

8,8%

8,3%

7,0%

3,6%

3,5%

3,3%

1,9%

1,8% 1,3%

5,7%

Meat DairyBeverages Vegetable & fruit preparationsPreparations of cereals Cocoa and cocoa preparationsVegetables Fats & oilsSugar & sugar confectionery Preparations of meat & fishFlour and malt CerealsFish Coffee, tea and spicesOther

€ 0

€ 1.000

€ 2.000

€ 3.000

€ 4.000

€ 5.000

Netherlands France Germany United-Kingdom Italy Rest EU-15 Rest EU-28 Rest of theworld

Bn

. E

uro

Evolution and geographical distribution exports

2003 2013

Exported products

STRENGTHS OF THE BELGIAN

FOOD INDUSTRY Excellence in food

Optimal efficiency and products with superior

quality, safety and taste are central to the

Belgian food industry

Stringent food safety standards and rigorous monitoring of the

quality and safety of food – HACCP principle

Compulsory self-checking system for all companies active in the

food chain to guarantee maximum food safety

Continuous training of employees in quality management

Close collaboration throughout the food chain strengthens the

spirit of quality – traceability throughout the chain

An efficient and quality agriculture

QUALITY SAFETY

STRENGTHS OF THE BELGIAN

FOOD INDUSTRY Excellence in food

The Belgian food industry is a robust sector with

a wide variety of activities

Throughout history Belgium has been a crossroads of flavours

which made Belgians very demanding about food and its quality

The Belgian food industry consists of 4600 companies, of which

a large number are small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Belgian food industry is known for chocolate, beer, waffles.

But the Belgian food industry has a lot of other export success

stories… : world’s biggest exporter of frozen potato products,

European leader in frozen vegetables, dairy and meat are

exported worldwide, etc.

DIVERSITY

STRENGTHS OF THE BELGIAN

FOOD INDUSTRY Excellence in food

Innovation is crucial for the excellence of

Belgian food products

Continuous research to improve the taste of products, their

nutritional composition (less sugar and salt etc.), microbiological

safety, food for the elderly, diabetics etc., packaging, industrial

efficiency and so on.

1 food company in 3 works on new products while 1 in 2 works

on organizational and processing innovations

Two knowledge institutes for innovation established by the food

sector : Flanders’ FOOD in Flanders and Wagralim in Wallonia

Technology platforms

INNOVATION

STRENGTHS OF THE BELGIAN

FOOD INDUSTRY Other strengths

Well located in a dense Western European

market

Logistics hub in the EU

Major ports : Antwerp, Zeebruges, Ghent,

Liège

THE BELGIAN FOOD SECTOR

Delivering high quality and safe products respecting

the environment throughout the food chain

16 self-checking guides for the food

processing sector alone, covering ± 95% of

the production

Third party certification covering majority of

products (and most/all of exported products)

Main sectors covered by additional

monitoring schemes offering additional

guarantees

THE BELGIAN FOOD SECTOR Delivering high quality and safe products respecting

the environment throughout the food chain

Preserving resources Circular economy – Zero waste – No landfill

28% less water by ton product

Reducing emissions: 29 % less CO2-emissions between 1990 - 2011

World top for recycling of packaging

Chain approach – all together

www.fevia-sustainability.be - Sustainability

report (GRI Standard) Food & Drink Industry

Treatment of rain water, surface water and

freatic groundwater as alternative for deep

groundwater or tap water

Water reuse: treated industrial wastewater effluent for irrigation

THE BELGIAN FOOD SECTOR Delivering high quality and safe products respecting

the environment throughout the food chain

BELGIUM…. A SMALL COUNTRY,

BUT GREAT FOOD

Thank you

Nadia Lapage

+32 2 550 17 57

nl@fevia.be

www.fevia.be, www.food.be

Belgium is the country of the…

Belgian Waffle Belgian (French)

Fries

Belgian Chocolates

Belgian Diamonds

But Belgium is also the country of …

Corner stone BE Fruit & Vegetable sector:

Producer Organisations / Co-operatives

Concentration of the supply

PO1

p11

p21

p31

p41

PO2 p12

p22

… …

…

POn p1n

p2n

Producer orientation Customer orientation

Vegetables

Fruit &Vegetables

Fruit

4.500 growers

Turnover PO members VBT

€ 354.899.819 € 501.231.394

Frozen vegetables € 93,0 million

Fresh produce € 856,1 million

Quality control

and inspection,

grading Packaging

Procurement of packaging

Sales &

Marketing

Distribution

Centralised

Calibration

(Peppers, Fruit)

Conservation

short and long

term

Tasks of PO’s

Quality management

Main objective:

– To deliver a sound, safe and

sustainable product to the customer

By:

– Imposing production guidelines to

the producer

– Control of the production guidelines

(certification)

– Guidelines for product quality

– Grading and quality control

Product specifications

Guidelines concerning the product:

– Quality

– Shape

– Colour

– Weight

– Packaging

– ….

Control by PO at entrance

Quality control Sales Packaging Logistics

Research/ Innovation Marketing Support Planning

Unique role in the value chain

BELORTA SHORT EN_854x480.mp4

•One collective label for Fruit and Vegetables

•The sustainability label 'Responsibly Fresh' is a sign of recognition

for all those concerned in the market for fruit and vegetables who

seek to make progress in terms of prosperity, well-being and the

environment.

•'Responsibly Fresh':

– 'Fresh' because we are working in the context of fresh fruit and

vegetables.

– 'Responsibly' means fruit from socially responsible companies and

social involvement.

• More information & report: www.responsibly-fresh.com

Sustainability concept

Focus on different dimensions Planet – People - Profit

Low impact

Biodiversity Food thrift

Proximity

• Private-public collaboration for global food security through good

agricultural practices signed on October 28th 2014 in Abu Dhabi

• Open call for global collaboration to find new approaches that it will

make it easier, more cost effective, and more attractive for farmers to

adopt safe, responsible and sustainable production practices.

• H.E. Dr. Rashid Bin Fahed, Minister of Environment & Water UAE

was the first official signatory (on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Food

Control Authority). Other signatories include: Unilever, Nestlé, VBT-

Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives, …

www.declaration-of-abu-dhabi.org

Declaration of Abu Dhabi

Opportunities for partners UAE • Fresh Produce is available & controlled

– Production conditions, product specifications

• Through PO / Co-operative: – Meeting demands of customer

– Short logistic chain, cold chain

– Packaging

– Efficient and transparent sales system

• Export by dedicated companies and/or POs

• Knowhow co-operative structure, sales systems, quality schemes, sustainable development concept, …

Anytime there is an opportunity:

focus on quality & sustainability

and think of - Fresh Produce

THANK YOU FOR

YOUR ATTENTION

Philippe Appeltans General Secretary VBT

T +32 16 20 00 80 E info@vbt.eu