Salling Group, Denmark’s largest retail group and owner of supermarket chains Netto, Føtex, and Bilka, has announced a new measure to cut CO2 emissions in the fresh produce supply chain: pineapples will now be sold without their leafy tops. The decision, first reported by TV 2 Kosmopol, is based on a logistical consideration: removing the upper part of the fruit allows for more efficient packing and transport.
According to Rasmus Graff, Category Manager at Salling Group, the company has conducted full-cycle calculations, from farm to shelf, and estimates that the new packaging model will result in at least a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions.
A small change with measurable impact
The initiative highlights how small adjustments in product handling can lead to meaningful sustainability gains. By eliminating the non-edible top of the pineapple before it reaches the store, Salling Group can fit more units per shipment, thereby reducing the number of trips required and lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
While the tops are often perceived as a visual or symbolic part of the pineapple, they serve no function for consumers and are typically discarded. By intervening at the source, the group not only optimises transport but also contributes to waste reduction.
Industry trend or isolated case?
The move is in line with broader efforts by Nordic retailers to integrate climate-conscious logistics into their operations. However, it’s still unclear whether other Danish or Nordic supermarket chains will follow suit. For now, Salling Group positions itself as a frontrunner in sustainable retail practices, with an eye on efficiency, emissions and waste reduction.
Graff told TV 2, “We have the full calculations, from the farm to the store, and we conservatively estimate a minimum 10 percent CO2 saving.”
