State of Sustainable Markets 2023: Statistics and emerging trends

STATISTICS AND EMERGING TRENDS Supported by: © International Trade Centre 2023 The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency ofthe World Trade Organization and the United Nations. Street address:ITC54-56, rue de Montbrillant1202 Geneva, SwitzerlandPostal address:ITCPalais des Nations1211 Geneva 10, SwitzerlandTelephone:+41-22 730 0111Fax:+41-22 733 4439E-mail:itcreg@intracen.orgWebsite:www.intracen.org THE STATE OFSUSTAINABLE MARKETS 2023 STATISTICS AND EMERGING TRENDS ABOUT THE REPORT This seventh global report provides new insights into the evolution of certified agriculture and forestry.The International Trade Centre has teamed up once again with the Research Institute of Organic Agricultureand the International Institute for Sustainable Development to provide data about 14 major sustainabilitystandards for bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, oil palm, soybeans, sugarcane, tea and forestry products. This year’s report adds data from 2021 and finds that slow growth resumed after a dip in 2020. The publicationhelps shape decisions of policymakers, producers and businesses, working to address systemic labourand environmental challenges through certified sustainable production. Title:The State of Sustainable Markets 2023: Statistics and Emerging Trends Publisher:International Trade Centre, International Institute for Sustainable Development, and Research Institute of OrganicAgriculture Publication date and place:December 2023, Geneva Page count:80 Language:English ISBN:9789210030229 UN Sales Number:24.III.T.1 ITC Document Number:P124.E/GIVC/DSIT/23-XII Citation:Laura Kemper, Gregory Sampson, Cristina Larrea, Bernhard Schlatter, Erika Luna, Tuan Duc Dang and Helga Willer(Eds.),The State of Sustainable Markets 2023: Statistics and Emerging Trends.ITC, Geneva. For more information, contact: Gregory Sampson (sampson@intracen.org) at ITC or Helga Willer (helga.willer@fibl.org) and LauraKemper (laura.kemper@fibl.org) at FiBL. For more information on sustainability standards, see www.standardsmap.org. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinionwhatsoever on the part of the International Trade Centre concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of itsauthorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by anymeans electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing fromthe International Trade Centre. Digital image(s) on the cover: © Shutterstock and ITC FOREWORD Can sustainability standards help suppliers, traders and brands in the fast-moving world of trade? As public bodies develop trade legislation to address deforestation and corporate sustainability, demandfor market information on these standards continues to grow. These standards are a response to consumer demand, yet they offer more: sustainability standards providerobust frameworks for companies to ensure their operations are environmentally friendly and sociallyresponsible. As governments and international bodies step up efforts to tackle climate change, businesses embracingsustainability standards can demonstrate responsible corporate citizenship and position themselves asfrontrunners in navigating evolving legal terrains. In a global economy where supply chains traverse borders, consistency in what sustainability means isvital to avoid false claims and greenwashing. While sustainability standards are not perfect, they fostertransparency and trust among trading partners. Whether in agriculture, textiles or forestry, adherence touniform sustainability standards promotes fair competition and ethical business practices. This annual report on sustainable markets is the seventh of its kind, serving as a compass towards a moresustainable future. Each of these reports has chronicled growth in the land dedicated to sustainabilitystandards. Single-sector standards dominate that growth, and organic standards again emerge as leadersin area and product variety. Market data is just one aspect of the sustainability standards landscape. We encourage you also to consultthe International Trade Centre’s Standards Map (www.standardsmap.org) to learn more about the numberspresented in this publication. It is a testament to the transformative power of sustainability standards to foster responsible businesspractices, prepare for regulatory shifts and contribute to a more environmentally conscious, sociallyresponsible global economy.. Pamela Coke-HamiltonExecutive DirectorInternational Trade Centre The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), the International Institute for Sustainable Development(IISD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are very grateful to the Swiss State Secretariat for EconomicAffairs (SEC