Suppliers, meanwhile, argue that extra burden is heaped on them by sustainability regulations, such as certification schemes or Germany’s due diligence act, which forces large companies to ensure their products do not contribute to labor or environmental violations.
“[German discounters] say they are committed to sustainability … But prices have decreased, while requirements grow,” said AEBE’s Hidalgo.
Exporters are looking for a single European Union fair trade mechanism that would guarantee higher prices from European supermarkets to cover extra sustainability costs. But according to Hidalgo, only Aldi Süd has agreed to such a scheme — while its competitors continue to push for cheaper fruit.
Responding, Lidl said it “takes its responsibility toward the employees in the supply chain very seriously,” adding that if wage gaps on banana plantations are identified, these are closed by food vouchers or cash payments.
But such structures are, according to observers, far from watertight.
“The wage data is often manipulated,” Oxfam’s Vogel said. While workers tend to be correctly paid according to their payslip, they often receive less after the transfer or must work more hours than officially stated, he added.