Fruit Juice Industry's Transition Towards Sustainability from the Viewpoint of the Producers

The fruit juice industry needs to ensure that its business is carried out within the planetary boundaries. Accordingly, this work aims to provide the views towards sustainability of the worldwide fruit juice industry, as key stakeholders in the food industry supply chain. This research identifies the current sustainability priorities within the sector and provides insights on the existing information gaps. A questionnaire was launched during spring 2022 among the International Fruit Juice and Vegetable Association members to obtain a current overview of the sector. The data shown here includes key fruit juice stakeholders from 20 countries across the globe, ranging from quality assessment to economic/social/environmental sustainability and general managers. A set of answers on the perceived meaning of sustainability and the possible measures to reduce the environmental impacts are gathered and classified. According to the results of this questionnaire, carbon footprint and social aspects emerge as the main hotspots. Overall, results show an increasing concern in the fruit juice industry towards holistic sustainability (environmental/social/economic) and clearly point to customers as a main driver to implement sustainability measures rather that complying with regulations. With this set of information, this work is ready to lay the groundwork for future studies in the area of sustainability in the food sector, while it may guide industry in its efforts to fulfil 2023 and 2050 climate targets.

Automated summary

This research aims to understand the views of the worldwide fruit juice industry towards sustainability and identify the current sustainability priorities and information gaps within the sector. Based on a questionnaire launched among members of the International Fruit Juice and Vegetable Association, key stakeholders from 20 countries provided data on their perception of sustainability and measures to reduce environmental impacts. The results highlight carbon footprint and social aspects as main concerns. The findings suggest an increasing focus on holistic sustainability and the importance of customer-driven sustainability measures rather than mere compliance with regulations. This work provides a foundation for future studies on sustainability in the food sector and can guide the industry in meeting their climate targets for 2023 and 2050.