The government is working with the Central Food Trade Agency (CBL) on an annual report providing insight into the extent to which supermarkets and processors contribute to a sustainable food system. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) commissioned research firm Berenschot to prepare the report "Transparency on contributions to a sustainable food system - Exploration of the transparency and harmonisation of sustainability efforts and indicators by supermarkets".

Key research findings:

• Transparency is partly present at supermarkets, but this does not provide a complete and unambiguous picture;
• Reporting is mainly at activity level, less on the concrete results and impact of these activities;
• Monitoring now mainly takes place at the level of the whole sector not at the level of individual supermarket (chains);
• The social role and responsibility and influence of supermarkets on manufacturers and consumers, among others, is experienced differently by supermarkets;
• In the survey, the principle of 'level playing field' was often raised as a prerequisite for agreeing with parties on more harmonisation and transparency, with all supermarkets reporting uniformly on the same indicators;
• The desire of supermarkets to receive guidance from the government regarding making the food system more sustainable varies.

The government expects supermarkets to be transparent about how their entire range is becoming demonstrably sustainable and animal-friendly, including sustainable sourcing practices and a fair price for farmers. Berenschot's study is an elaboration of this. It describes how it is currently reported and what steps can be taken to make supermarkets' contribution to making the food system more sustainable more transparent.

Key opinions report:

• As a government, set clear frameworks for the food sustainability objectives to be achieved, the intended effects and/or outcomes;
• Start by establishing a limited initial set of ecological indicators that align with the sustainability goals to which supermarkets should at least contribute, including reduction of CO2-equivalent emissions, animal welfare, restoration of biodiversity and efficient land and water use. Build the desired reporting gradually and incrementally.
• Use science-based indicators that can be measured annually.
• Agree on the unified way of reporting on the agreed indicators and publication.
• For sustainability reports, focus not only on supermarkets, but on the whole chain including producers to increase the impact. In doing so, look at both aspects you want to encourage and discourage.

Report: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2022/05/31/bijlage-adviesrapport-verkenning-duurzaamheidsinspanningen-supermarkten