Cultivation & Raw Materials
Migros is committed to the responsible procurement of raw materials. In 2017, three Migros Group companies signed the memorandum of understanding of the Swiss platform for sustainable cocoa.
Migros considers it important to use raw materials that have been grown or extracted with respect for people, animals and the environment, and which are traded fairly. To achieve this objective, all Migros Group companies are gradually implementing the same basic requirements for suppliers and product ranges in addition to their individual procurement policies. Migros also contributes to meeting industry-wide goals through national and international standards.
Sustainable agriculture
In 2017, Migros made efforts to reduce the use of pesticides in farming, worked with different partners to increase environmentally and socially sustainable cultivation of bananas and rice, and audited fruit and vegetable producers from the Mediterranean in accordance with GlobalGAP GRASP.
It also supported various research projects aimed at making agriculture more sustainable. For example, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the federal government's centre of excellence for agricultural research (Agroscope) tested fungi that infects the pollen beetle and renders it harmless to organically grown rapeseed.
Protection of forests
According to WWF, forests in many regions of the world are at risk due to overuse and destruction. Tropical forests are most heavily affected, due among other things to deforestation associated with non-sustainable and non-certified cultivation of soy and palm oil. In 2017, Migros stepped up its efforts in the area of sustainable palm oil procurement, introduced alternative sources of protein for animal feed, and enhanced its range of FSC-certified toiletries.
Sustainable fishing
Fish consumption is increasing worldwide, with drastic consequences for the planet's oceans. As a member of the WWF Seafood Group, Migros takes ocean overfishing seriously and strives to offer products from sustainable sources in all Migros companies.
Animal welfare
Demand for meat, dairy products and eggs is rising. At the same time, animal-friendly husbandry is becoming increasingly important to customers. Migros also attaches great importance to animal protection. With meat from Switzerland and a broad range of label products, Migros makes a clear commitment to animal welfare.
In 2017, Migros' efforts in the area of animal welfare were recognised for the second time in succession in the "Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare" (BBFAW) rating. The British-based organisation BBFAW rates companies around the world on the basis of their commitment to animal welfare.