In 2020, Efeca collaborated with IDH (The Sustainable Trade Initiative) and EPOA (European Palm Oil Alliance) to produce the 2019 European monitoring report for sustainable palm oil. The report’s findings revealed that approximately 86% of European palm oil imports were sustainable, marking significant progress towards the goal of achieving 100% sustainable palm oil in Europe. However, despite this encouraging overall outcome, the data indicated some concerning trends, such as an increase in total palm oil imports but a decrease in the volume of sustainable palm oil.
In 2019, the total import of palm oil into Europe increased by 5%. However, the data showed only a modest 1% increase in RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) physical certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). More concerning was the 7% decrease in RSPO and Independent Smallholder credits, and a 1% drop in the total RSPO volume. These figures highlight the challenges that remain in ensuring all palm oil imported into Europe is sustainable.
The annual monitoring of sustainable palm oil imports, carried out since 2016 by IDH and EPOA, covers palm oil used in food, feed, and oleochemicals across the EU28 countries and Switzerland. The 2019 report provides a detailed account of the market uptake of certified sustainable palm oil in Europe, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of the palm oil trade. Key aspects covered in the report include the breakdown of palm oil usage across different sectors, the trends in sustainable certification uptake, and the challenges faced in increasing the volume of sustainable palm oil. The report also discusses the importance of RSPO certification and the role of Independent Smallholder credits in promoting sustainable practices among smaller producers.
The findings of the 2019 report underlines the importance of continued efforts and collaboration among stakeholders to close the gap and achieve the target of 100% sustainable palm oil in Europe. While progress has been made, the decrease in the volume of sustainable palm oil and the decline in RSPO credits highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions to support the adoption of sustainable practices.
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[1] https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/uploaded/2020/09/Sustainable-Palm-Oil-for-Europe-in-2019-EPOA-IDH.pdf