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Pernod Ricard Nordic searching the market for more organic suppliers

The BioFach, World Organic Trade Fair in Nürnberg, Germany, in February is the world's largest trade fair for the global organic sector.

“With nine exhibition halls, 2,700 exhibitors and 47,000 visitors, this is the place to be when looking for suppliers of organic produce," says Mikael Sundström, who is responsible for CSR & Sustainability issues at Pernod Ricard Nordic. “Organic results in reduced negative impact on wildlife and the environment as well as improved health conditions for the farmers and plantation workers. Our work to identify more organic suppliers is in line with our sustainable agriculture commitment and is important to ensure successful product development."
From left: Dan Gyllbäck, Anette Christensen and Mikael Sundström.

The trade fair showcased all types of organic products, from raw materials such as spices and essences to ready made products such as wine and liquor.

“We visited the fair to learn more, meet our existing vendors and identify new suppliers, especially for spices. All in order to update our purchasing system with a bank of approved and preferred suppliers of various products,” says Dan Gyllbäck, Category Purchasing Manager.

In order to be approved by Pernod Ricard Nordic, potential suppliers must fill out a form for Corporate Responsibility evaluation. And although a supplier may have an organic product, that doesn’t mean they will be automatically approved as a supplier. Pernod Ricard Nordic works to ensure the entire flow, including factors such as how the production affects the local community, that the workers receive fair pay and that child labor is not used.

“Our participation in the fair was not just an incredibly good base for our continued work with suppliers, we also found about 20 potential new suppliers. In addition, we have shown that Pernod Ricard Nordic is committed to these issues and is striving to become even better,” says Dan Gyllbäck.

“This year's BioFach trade fair was focused on organic products. Next year, we hope that it will be more focused on “Fair trade”. It’s one thing to be able to produce a product without using pesticides and insecticides, but another to ensure fair wages and freedom of association,” says Mikael Sundström.