How sustainable are tomatoes? | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

Tomatoes, sustainability, environmental impact, plastic waste, pesticides, working conditions, Almería (Spain), greenhouse agriculture, geothermal energy, origin labeling, EU food law, carbon footprint, local vs. imported tomatoes.

Almería: The Orchard of Europe and its Environmental Cost

The video investigates the sustainability of tomatoes, starting with Almería, Spain, a major tomato-producing region known as the "Orchard of Europe." The region is characterized by vast expanses of greenhouses covered in plastic.

• Plastic Waste: The extensive use of plastic in Almería's greenhouses leads to significant environmental problems.
  • Two main types of plastic: roof tarpaulins (recyclable for a small profit) and ground sheets (costly to dispose of).
  • Illegal garbage dumps: Ecologistas en Acción identified almost 400 illegal dumps.
  • Microplastic contamination: Ground sheets, often contaminated with pesticides, break down into microplastics due to sun exposure.
  • Pesticide contamination: Ground sheets are used to trap pesticides in the soil, preventing evaporation but contaminating the plastic.
• Environmental Impact: The environmental organization Ecologistas en Acción highlights the severe plastic pollution in Almería, with Marcos Diéguez showing illegal garbage dumps filled with plastic waste.
• Nature Reserve Encroachment: Greenhouses surround a nature reserve, raising concerns about habitat destruction.
• Filming Obstacles: The video crew faced difficulties obtaining permission to film in Almería, suggesting a reluctance to expose the industry's practices.

Sustainable Practices and Integrated Farming

One farm in the Granada region grants access, showcasing some sustainable practices.

• Integrated Farming System: The farm uses bumblebees for pollination and beneficial insects to control pests, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides.
• Trend Away from Synthetic Pesticides: There's a growing trend to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides over the last 20 years.
• Precision Agriculture: Crops grown under plastic require precise management of temperature, water, and harvest timing.

Origin and Processing of Tomatoes

The video explores the origin and processing of canned tomatoes, revealing complexities in labeling and sourcing.

• Global Tomato Production: China is the world's largest tomato producer, followed by India and Turkey.
• Italian Tomato Industry: Italy is a major exporter of processed tomatoes but imports a significant amount from China (85,000 tons in 2023) due to insufficient domestic production.
• Oro di Parma Case Study: The company, based in Germany, sources its tomatoes from the Parma region in Italy.
• Quality Control: Hengstenberg (Oro di Parma) conducts rigorous quality control checks on incoming tomato deliveries, including visual inspection and taste tests.
• Transportation: The company uses rail transport to reduce its carbon footprint (250,000 cans per day).
• Labeling Regulations:
  • "Product of Italy": Guarantees that the tomatoes were grown and processed in Italy.
  • "Made in Italy" or "Produced in Italy": Only indicates that the tomatoes were processed in Italy, not necessarily grown there.
  • "Non-EU": Suggests the tomatoes may have originated from outside the European Union, potentially including China.
• Consumer Awareness: Consumers are advised to carefully examine labels to determine the origin of processed tomatoes.

Working Conditions and Social Exploitation in Almería

The video exposes the harsh working conditions and social exploitation faced by migrant laborers in Almería.

• Day Laborers: Many laborers, primarily from North Africa, gather in San Isidro, waiting to be hired for tomato harvesting.
• Lack of Contracts and Low Wages: Workers often lack contracts and are paid low wages.
• Inhumane Living Conditions: Migrant workers live in makeshift settlements with no electricity, running water, or sanitary facilities.
• Illegal Settlements: Settlements are often razed to the ground by authorities.
• Economic Incentives for Exploitation: The lack of legal documentation creates an economic incentive to exploit workers by paying them less.
• Illegal Greenhouses: Many greenhouses operate without permits, further contributing to the exploitation of workers and the environment.
• EU Fishing Policies Impact: EU fishing policies off the coast of Senegal contribute to economic hardship, driving migration to Europe.

Alternatives and Solutions

The video explores potential alternatives to unsustainable tomato production.

• Dutch Greenhouse Tomatoes: While transportation distances are short, Dutch greenhouse tomatoes have a high carbon footprint due to the use of fossil fuels for heating.
• Geothermal Energy: Wolfgang Steiner in southern Germany uses geothermal energy to heat his greenhouses, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Geothermal energy can cause induced seismicity.
• Local and Seasonal Tomatoes: Tomatoes from Central Europe are more climate-friendly during the summer months (July-September).
• Home Gardening: Growing tomatoes at home is presented as a sustainable alternative.

Conclusion

The search for a "good" tomato reveals a complex web of environmental, social, and economic challenges. While there are no easy solutions, the video emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness, sustainable farming practices, and ethical sourcing to mitigate the negative impacts of tomato production. The "truly sustainable tomato still remains elusive," suggesting a need for continued efforts to address these issues.