Press Release

07 July 2008

Study launched into carbon footprint of South African fruit and wine

Gareth Thomas, Trade and Development Minister speakingTrade and Development Minister Gareth Thomas today challenged the idea that exported products from the developing world have a bigger environmental cost.

Launching groundbreaking research into the carbon footprint of South African fruit and wine exports, Gareth Thomas said the scheme would enable the food industry and its consumers to understand more about the effect of goods we buy on climate change.

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband joined Gareth Thomas to meet wine and horticulture producers from the region as they launched the first industry wide research in the region to measure their carbon footprint. The scheme, joint funded by the Department for International Development and the wine and fruit industry, will inform the development of further studies into the carbon footprint of food production.

Speaking from a market in Pretoria, Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas said:

    "Food miles created are only one part of the equation – this study will look at the whole cycle of production, which is the only fair way to go. Our research has shown nearly three-quarters of the UK public want to use their weekly shop to reduce poverty in the developing world. But they don’t want to spend over the odds, especially with the global economic situation, and they’re - quite rightly - concerned about climate change.

    "This research will enable the industry here – one of the biggest wine exporters in the world – to understand the carbon "cost" they pose to the environment. This is crucial to maintaining South Africa’s competitive position in global fruit and wine export markets in order to continue to employ local people."

labelling wine bottles, South AfricaSouth Africa is already starting to see the effects of climate change on its exports. For example, rainfall patterns are starting to affect the fruit and wine industry in the Western Cape. This study will look at everything from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges to apples and pears to wine, the major parts of South Africa’s food exports.

Table grape producer Ms Nthombi Msimang said:

    "Our buyers are increasingly asking difficult questions about our carbon footprint, this project will allow us to address their concerns but more importantly it will give us the tools needed to secure the industry’s long-term sustainability and the jobs it provides."

Seven out of ten Africans depend on agriculture and the natural environment for their livelihoods, including several million people who rely partly on sales of fruit, vegetables, cocoa, coffee, tea and other agricultural commodities to the UK.

Back to topBack to top

Notes to editors

  • Over 90% of the fruit and almost 40% of the vegetables we eat are imported. UK customers spend over one million pounds a day on fruit and vegetables from Africa
  • The £200,000 carbon footprint research scheme, jointly funded by DFID and the Fruit and Wine Industry in South Africa, will measure the carbon footprint of the industry and establish how the industry's carbon emissions compare to international competitors. It will then be used to address how the industry can become carbon neutral securing current jobs and increasing the demand for South African produce in a sector crucial for the employment of the poor.
  • DFID announced in February that it is doubling its commitment to £1.2 million to expand Fairtrade labelling across Europe and to help producers in the poorest countries around the world.

For further information contact Heledd Owen in the DFID Press Office on 020 7023 1752 or e-mail h-owen@dfid.gov.uk

Back to topBack to top

Links