No Romanian organic fruits and vegetables sold in large local retail networks

None of the large retailers in Romania is selling Romanian organic fruits and vegetables, and only one brand of organic milk can be found on the shelves of local supermarkets and hypermarkets included in the recent WWF Retailer Scorecard study. This year’s edition of the study analyzes the environmental performance of top 11 FMCG retailers in Romania, namely Auchan, Billa, Carrefour, Cora, Kaufland, Lidl, Mega Image, Metro, Profi, Penny Market and Selgros. The study reveals an improvement on the market for fruits and vegetables without organic certification from Romania, which now stand for 55% of the fruits and vegetables sold in local supermarkets and hypermarkets. However, none of the 11 retailers is selling Romanian fruits and vegetables from organic farming, according to WWF. Over 56% of the total fresh milk sold on the local market comes from Romania, compared to 54.4% in 2013, but only 7.8% are products with organic certification and only one brand of Romanian organic milk can be found on the shelves of the retailers included in the study. Most of the eggs come from Romania, namely 99.5%, but only 9.8% have organic certification. In terms of wood and paper products certified FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), all retailers’ scores remained the same or have improved, according to WWF. A slight improvement can also be noticed when it comes to scores recorded for MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification, while the results in the ecological detergent category remained unchanged from the previous year, only three of the retailers having such products on their shelves. Retailer Scorecard tracks the retailers’ performance in seven key sectors that have an impact on the environment and the society: seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs, fish, detergent, disposable paper and environmental policies. The entire study (in Romanian) can be found here. The organic farm of FARA Foundation in Romania delivered organic vegetables to Cora Bacau this autumn and plans to resume deliveries next spring. Prince Charles of Wales is the Patron of FARA Foundation, together with Nicole Kidman and Princess Marina Sturdza. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com