Initial test shipments by the organic fruit and vegetable importer and producer Lehmann Natur have demonstrated potential forCO2esavings and practicality—albeit with some minor challenges and trade-offs.
2,198 kilometers —that’s the distance between the southern Spanish province of Almería, also known as the “Vegetable Garden of Europe,” and the lehmann natur warehouse in Korschenbroich-Glehn. Over 2,000 kilometers must be traveled to bring sun-ripened organic tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and other products to German supermarket shelves. A test shipment by truck generated approximately 2.8 metric tonsof CO2eemissions per transport. By shifting the majority of the route from road to rail, approximately 65% of the emissions were reduced, depending on capacity utilization and the specific route. For the test shipment, this amounted to approximately 1.85 metric tonsof CO2e. Nevertheless, about one-fifth of the route must still be covered by truck—namely, the trip from the farm to the departure station and from the arrival station to the lehmann natur warehouse in Korschenbroich.
“Transport via refrigerated train offers the potential to reduceCO2eemissions. In the logistics chain, there is a one-day loss in time and freshness because the traintakes one day longer, and the internal process requires slightly more coordination. Nevertheless, we view this more sustainable alternative as important and the right choice for reducing emissions, and we will regularly use rail transport in the future.” – summarizes the Head of Transportation & Logistics at lehmann natur.
Caption: The supply chain from the field to the shelf. Savings vary depending on the farmer’s location and the relationship. (Image source: lehmann natur)
Caption: Sascha Rosenblatt, Head of Transportation & Logistics at lehmann natur, at the arrival station in Cologne. (Image source: lehmann natur)
About Lehmann Natur
lehmann natur GmbH is an organic fruit and vegetable producer and importer based in Meerbusch with a wide range of products, from imported exotic organic fruits to local produce such as salads and root vegetables. As early as 1988, lehmann natur committed itself to the idea of enabling all consumers to enjoy sustainably grown organic fruits and vegetables, and has since viewed itself as a service provider for organic agriculture. The responsible use of resources is important to lehmann natur in order to foster a connection between nature and people.
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