HALBA’s procurement policy is an important pillar of its sustainability strategy.
HALBA places great value on maintaining a direct relationship with its producers and prefers to work with those committed to a high level of sustainability. To do so, HALBA relies on transparency and traceability. HALBA purchases a significant portion of its raw goods directly from partner cooperatives to ensure a short, and thus transparent, supply chain. Thanks to direct procurement, intermediaries are avoided and farmers receive a greater proportion of the purchase price. Whenever possible, short supply routes are the goal. HALBA now procures a great deal of its raw goods from Europe, not overseas. For example, HALBA procures lentils from southern France, instead of importing them from India. Southern France is also where we currently procure our chickpeas, which used to be imported from Turkey. Furthermore, 50 per cent of our dry mushroom selection comes from southern Europe.
HALBA is committed to fair trade with certified partners and, in cases where the services are comparable, favours businesses that manufacture in Switzerland. In countries of origin outside Switzerland, HALBA creates mutual trust through long-term contracts and personal relationships, and encourages producers of raw goods to switch to better and more sustainable production standards. HALBA supports producers with interest-free advance financing, coverage of certification costs and pioneering training programs.
The most important raw goods purchased by HALBA, such as cacao, sugar, nuts and dried fruits, are certified by independent standards organisations which take social and ecological guidelines into account. HALBA prioritises raw goods bearing a label for sustainable cultivation, such as organic and fair-trade certifications.
Procuring certain raw goods as sustainable products is a big challenge. HALBA is mindful of this and strives to stay true to its commitment. Cacao cultivation, which often goes hand in hand with rainforest destruction, is one example of this. HALBA is involved on-site at the source through sustainability projects to prevent deforestation. Palm oil cultivation, which eliminates valuable forest ecosystems around the world through monocultures, is another example. HALBA has already significantly reduced the use of palm oil and only produces one customised recipe with palm oil. The goal is, to only use palm oil, if any at all, in organic and fair-trade quality.