• The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) launches a first-of-its-kind certification tailored to the sector’s specific ESG challenges.
• The framework aligns growers, processors, and traders around verified sustainability practices from soil to supply chain governance.
• Rising global demand, particularly from China, is accelerating the industry’s shift toward transparent and standardized sustainability criteria.
Industry Unites Behind Sector-Specific Sustainability Framework
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) has launched the world’s first sustainability certification specifically developed for the nut and dried fruit industry, marking a coordinated global effort to define measurable ESG standards for one of the world’s most traded agricultural commodities.
Unveiled during the NUTS 2025 research event at INC’s headquarters in Reus, the certification creates a unified benchmark for sustainability performance across the sector’s global value chain — from family-run orchards to multinational processors.
“For the nut and dried fruit industry, sustainability is a strategic priority,” said Goretti Guasch, Executive Director of the INC. “While many certifications touch on sustainability, none have addressed the unique realities of this industry. This certification has been created by the industry, for the industry.”
Framework Aligns Environmental and Governance Practices
The INC Sustainability Certification provides a structured framework that integrates environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance standards. It establishes clear pathways for companies to reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste, adopt responsible water and soil management practices, and ensure ethical labor and sourcing policies.
Committee members at the launch noted that growers — many of whom operate multigenerational family farms — have long implemented regenerative and resource-efficient methods that preserve soil, water, and biodiversity. The certification formalizes these practices and extends accountability through governance criteria covering worker welfare, fair supply chain management, and transparent reporting.
By providing practical guidance for both smallholders and large enterprises, the framework is designed to scale inclusively across regions and company sizes. It also incorporates mechanisms for third-party verification to strengthen market trust and facilitate recognition by institutional buyers and investors increasingly prioritizing traceable ESG data.
Rising Demand Reinforces Market Incentives
The nut and dried fruit industry, valued at over $60 billion globally, faces mounting pressure from consumers, retailers, and regulators to demonstrate verified sustainability performance. Large markets such as China, which have seen growing demand for certified and responsibly sourced food products, are accelerating the need for transparent industry-wide standards.
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The INC said the certification responds directly to this shift, helping companies differentiate themselves in sustainability-driven markets while aligning with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.
“Growers and producers have been part of the sustainability journey for years,” an INC Executive Committee member noted during the launch. “This certification gives them a common language to communicate that progress — and a credible structure to take it further.”
Governance and Future Outlook
The INC’s program is voluntary but expected to become a defining feature of industry competitiveness as ESG disclosure expectations rise across global agribusiness. The certification also offers alignment opportunities with financial institutions and buyers integrating sustainability-linked requirements into procurement and lending policies.
For policymakers and investors, the move provides a clearer view of sustainability performance within a fragmented global supply chain. By codifying industry-specific indicators, the certification could serve as a model for other specialty crops seeking to balance economic growth with environmental and social accountability.
Ashok Krishen, Chairman of the INC, said the initiative reflects a fundamental shift in how the sector views its role in sustainable development. “In today’s world, sustainability is not a ‘nice to have’ — it is the right thing to do,” Krishen stated. “We are proud to pioneer and advance sustainable practices, ensuring our industry continues to grow responsibly and sustainably into the future.”
A Global Industry Setting Its Own Standard
With more than 1 million growers and processors worldwide, the nut and dried fruit industry occupies a pivotal space in global agriculture and nutrition. The launch of a sector-specific certification reflects a growing recognition that one-size-fits-all sustainability labels cannot fully capture the complexities of diverse agricultural systems.
As demand for verified low-impact food products continues to rise, the INC’s certification could reshape how investors, retailers, and consumers assess sustainability performance — offering a blueprint for self-regulated progress in a critical segment of the global food system.
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