For 4 years now, the “Zero Pesticide Residue” label has been establishing itself as a “third way” by proposing a new agricultural model and a new offer on the shelves. Since its creation in 2018, the label has evolved nicely. More than 137 million consumer sales units already have the “Zero Pesticide Residue” label. The label is a great illustration of the transformation of French agriculture and it can now be found in 6 departments of the French retail sector.
A great progression in the fruit and vegetable department
The “Zero Pesticide Residue” label continues to grow, with +16% in value in the first half of 2022 (vs. N-1), all sectors combined. The label’s progression is based on a dynamic listing of labeled products: +30% between 2021 and 2022 in terms of the number of references available on the market (from 155 at the end of 2020 to 250 references today, including 200 fresh fruit and vegetables).
Within the fruit and vegetable department, the strong products such as the tomato (+14%), potato (+12%) and apple (+7%) continue to progress in the first half of 2022 (compared to the first half of 2021). These labeled products are now present at all the main mass retailers in France (except for Cora and Grand Frais).
A clear and visible message that speaks to consumers
25% of the French bought “Zero Pesticide Residue” products over the 12 months of 2021 (source: Kantar). The reputation of the label seems to have reached 50% (source: CSA).
As shown by the latest studies, 47% of the people surveyed now believe that the actions targeting the use of pesticides give a positive image of the fruit and vegetable sector. More attention is paid to these products, which leads consumers to make better purchases in the fruit and vegetable aisles.
Labels such as “Zero Pesticide Residue” and “Without Pesticide Residue” are important choice criteria for 20 to 27% of the consumers surveyed (compared to 30% for the organic label). 40% are willing to pay more for a fruit or vegetable with a label: between +0.10€ [0.10 USD] and +0.30€/kg [0.30 USD/kg] for the “Zero Pesticide Residue”. 27% of the consumers surveyed claim to have come across products with the labels “Without Pesticide Residue”, “Zero Pesticide Residue” or “Cultivated without Pesticides”. The labels are seen as beneficial for the health of consumers, and beneficial for farmers and the environment as well. Finally, 74% of the consumers claim to find such labels reassuring.
Source: Evolution of the fruit and vegetable market with labels regarding pesticides and residues, 2021, Study by Triesse, Interfel, FranceAgriMer.
New partnerships to make progress in the construction of a new agricultural model
Since its creation in 2018, the Nouveaux Champs collective has been committed to a vision of progress for French agriculture. The members of this collective share their experiences and experiment to build together the agriculture of tomorrow: always more innovative, efficient and environmentally friendly.
By investing in the “Zero Pesticide Residue” label, they defend a reassurance model by offering a real guarantee to consumers. The agriculture of proof (or result) is a source of commitment and advocates good eating for all.
Today, the collective wants to go even further in the construction of their agricultural model and their vision of agriculture. In a more global approach, the objective is to measure the impact of a “Zero Pesticide Residue” policy on the environment. More particularly, they tend to show the virtuous effects on biodiversity as well as on the life and structure of the soils.
The Nouveaux Champs collective has formed a partnership with Noé Biodiversité. The non-profit organization for the protection of nature wishes to recreate a living and sustainable world where biodiversity and humanity live in harmony. They currently help producers in a diagnostic phase to prove the virtuous character of a “Zero Pesticide Residue” approach.
The collective has also become a member of the AGATA club (Agrifood and Agroecological Transition), which brings together companies committed to developing common projects around the protection of biodiversity and food.
The Nouveaux Champs collective has also joined Nataïs as a new member of Club Partenaires. Created in 2020, this club brings together 4 companies committed to a vision of progress for French agriculture: Invivo, Bonduelle, Medinbio and the Nouveaux Champs collective. Located in Bézéril (southwestern France), Nataïs becomes the 5th partner. The company is the European leader in the manufacture and packaging of popcorn. Nataïs is a SME with 140 employees, approximately 220 partner farmers, more than 50,000 tons harvested each year and 8,000 hectares grown with care in France and South Africa (a securing solution that represents between 5 and 15% of the total volume of corn depending on the year). The company was built and developed based on strong values. Nataïs wants to participate in a responsible, innovative and sustainable sector and considers regenerative agriculture a priority.
The objective of this partnership is to exchange ideas and create synergies in order to develop agricultural models and create prospects for progress.
The members of the Nouveaux Champs collective
For more information:
Gilles Bertrandias (President)
Collectif Nouveaux Champs
Phone: +33(0)6 87 80 84 21
[email protected]
Julie Sabourin (Quality and technical manager)
Phone: +33(0)7 84 22 60 21
[email protected]
http://www.nouveaux-champs.fr/le-collectif/
