Apples from China - an update

Back in November I wrote about the apples the Co-op are using to make all sorts of things. These apples are imported from China. I also wrote to the Coop asking them about this. I eventually got a reply. Here it is....

Dear Mr Surridge,

Thank you for your recent email and please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in response.

Unfortunately, although we grow a large number of apples in our orchards at Tillington in Herefordshire, there are not enough to meet the requirements of all our products. In consequence we do need to look elsewhere for fruit which will yield the right qualities.

The market in the northern hemisphere for all fruit is very tight and because of the vagaries of the weather has been even more difficult in recent years.

Our suppliers have been active in many markets and believed the fruit which would best suit our requirements could only be bought from China in the volumes needed. However, before we approve such third party choices we do consider other aspects of our trading relationships because we take our procurement responsibilities extremely seriously. Indeed we take the view that engaging in effective dialogue with agents and suppliers in the chain is a very effective way of delivering a positive benefit to the workers who supply the materials used in co-op brand product.

As part of our responsible retailing initiative we have developed a sound sourcing code of practice to ensure that ethical aspects of trading relationships have a high priority. This code of practice covers such important issues as:

Absence of exploitation of Labour
No use of child labour
Living Wages being paid
Prohibition on excessive working hours
Absence of discrimination
Safe and hygienic working environment
A culture of continuous improvement.

While all of these are tremendously important it is perhaps the last one which we look to for the future.

As a result we require all suppliers to have clearly defined systems to demonstrate these requirements are met and that these systems are verified to show they work. Additionally we require all suppliers to sign up to an initiative called the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex).  This is a web-based system, which enables us to have visibility of key supplier data and gives an additional degree of assurance in terms of our relationship.

To satisfy ourselves further and as an additional rigour, we plan to use an independent resource to carry out further in-country audits.  

The material used for this product is not sourced and transported as apples, the fruit is first processed to a high quality concentrate and is shipped in bulk containers.

A large number of similar products are also sourced from China. The Co-operative may be the only major retailer who provides the information on pack and we believe this information helps in making an informed choice;  this would also apply for produce (the majority of or own brand) sourced locally.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards

John Holmes
Customer Relations

I guess I am pretty pleased to have received such a comprehensive reply and understand the position the Coop is in.

However, it raises a couple of questions for me. One remains around the use of apples from the otherside of the world and, no matter what is done, it can not make sense to import them. If we are not growing enough apples then maybe we should grow more? The second is about our use of resources and climate change. If the apple harvest has become unreliable - maybe becuase of climate change - is importing more products from further afield a sensible reaction?

Things for me to reflect on.

Would I pay more for English apple juice?