Fazer continues its systematic work to protect the Baltic Sea and renews its commitment with BSAG

Fazer works actively to reduce its environmental impact and has participated in protecting the Baltic Sea since 2013. Fazer makes now its third Baltic Sea commitment with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG). Fazer is committed to developing its production, operating methods and product selection in ways that support the ecological balance of the Baltic Sea and other waterways. The aim of the protection work is that as few nutrients as possible end up in the water systems.

Food production and consumption have a major impact on the environment, society and well-being. Fazer’s latest Baltic Sea commitment focuses on promoting sustainable food production, regenerative farming in particular, and it is in effect until 2028. The commitment is implemented through measures and objectives that pursue regenerative farming.

“The Baltic Sea is one of the world’s most delicate seas, and it suffers particularly from eutrophication. This is because too many nutrients have ended up in the sea for decades. Fazer has been heavily involved in protecting the Baltic Sea since 2013. We are a significant buyer of grain in the Baltic Sea region, so we have the possibility to impact the state of the waterways through our own actions as well as together with our partners,” says Joséphine Mickwitz, EVP, Head of Communications and Sustainability, Fazer Group. 

Farming methods impact the state of the waterways

According to studies, regenerative farming methods have a concrete impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, preventing eutrophication, strengthening soil fertility and improving crop resilience.

“One of our most important and concrete measures has been to develop Fazer’s Grain Vision. This is a farming programme we started in 2013 and implement in close collaboration with our contract farmers. Fazer’s Grain Vision aims to mitigate the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea and our inland waters, protect biodiversity and the land’s vitality as well as reduce the use of pesticides in farming. The Grain Vision is implemented through ten sustainable farming methods which have already been taken in use at numerous Finnish and Swedish farms,” continues Mickwitz.

“Fazer’s support for our work with the Baltic Sea is particularly important as Fazer is one our foundation’s most long-term corporate partners. Food production has a big impact on our waterways and our entire environment. This is why we have been happy to see how Fazer is collaborating closely with farmers and has systematically made its farming criteria more sustainable as part of its Grain Vision,” says Strategy Director Pieta Jarva from BSAG. 

Already over a half of Fazer’s contract farmers use sustainable farming methods     

Results from Fazer’s comprehensive annual farmer survey¹⁾ indicate that a significant milestone was achieved in 2022 as over 50% of Fazer’s conventional contract farmers in Finland said they use all ten sustainable farming methods. The results show that particularly the use of various precision farming methods has become more common.

Fazer invests in cooperation with its contract farmers and organises regular farmer trainings regarding sustainable farming methods which promote the implementation of good crop rotation, support the efficiency of nutrient use, improve soil structure and reduce the need for pesticides.

Along with the new Baltic Sea commitment, Fazer focuses even more on promoting biodiversity. The company is also developing digital authentication solutions suitable for regenerative farming together with its stakeholders. The commitment will also be visible in Fazer’s product selection as it is being developed on the basis of regenerative farming methods.

¹⁾ Fazer’s farmer survey regarding harvest 2022. N = 315, out of which 257 conventional and 58 organic farmers.

Further information:

Anniina Niemistö, VP, Communications, Fazer Lifestyle Foods, anniina.niemisto@fazer.com, +358 (0)40 674 4672

Fazer serves the media by phone Mon–Fri from 8 am to 4 pm, tel. +358 40 6682 998 and at media@fazer.com

Regenerative farming

Regenerative farming is a group of methods which can be utilised at farms and have several benefits:

• Cultivated plants sequester carbon from the atmosphere into the soil through their roots.
• The soil’s natural vitality recovers, soil fertility is strengthened and crops’ resilience improves.
• Nutrient flows from the fields diminish, which decreases the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea and other waterways.
• Fewer mineral fertilisers are needed.

Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG)

BSAG is an independent non-profit foundation established in 2008 to bring together all organisations whose efforts are needed to save the Baltic Sea: researchers, companies, decision-makers, authorities and farmers. BSAG’s objective is to restore the Baltic Sea’s ecological balance in changing climate conditions.

Fazer Group 

Fazer, The Food Experience Company, enables people to enjoy the best moments of their day. Our mission, Food with a purpose, builds on our strong 130-year heritage, consumer first approach and innovations to create the sustainable food solutions of the future. With our dedicated team of approximately 5,000 professionals, we focus on fast-moving consumer goods and our direct-to-consumer business in Northern Europe, and beyond with exports to some 40 different countries. Fazer’s operations comply with its Code of Conduct that is based on the Group’s values and the UN Global Compact. In 2022, Fazer Group had net sales of 1.1 billion euros.   

Northern Magic. Made Real. 

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