Consumption fell during the pandemic...

This report contains data from 2019, the most recent data prepared for publication. Since then, the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the global economy hard, with global disposable incomes decreasing and lockdowns restricting access to restaurants, travel, and retail. Many households have reduced their spending on non-essential, higher-priced products and services, including items covered by certified sustainability standards.

But consumers are seeking

out sustainable options

Demand has increased, however, for nutritious, healthy, and safe products that protect animal and human welfare. Buyers, traders, manufacturers and retailers are using sustainability standards to show consumers and governments that their supply chains comply with safeguarding requirements. These trends vary by geography and commodity market. In developed countries, there are greater prospects for expanding sustainable consumption. In low- and middle-income countries, the biggest barriers are prohibitive costs and a lack of education on sustainability issues in the value chains.

How can we encourage sustainable consumption?

While the pandemic led to an overall drop in consumption of non-essential products, it also sparked greater demand for certified products, with traditional markets in Europe and North America continuing to lead. Consumers in these markets are paying more attention to companies’ environmental and social claims, and are willing to pay more for ethical products. In general terms supply of vss-compliant products continues to outpace demand. To balance the market, demand must increase in emerging economies and producing countries that are also major consumers (particularly in Asia).