PlanetProof certified area expands in European plant sector as livestock participation falls

In 2025 the PlanetProof certification saw a 4 % increase in certified plant‑based acreage across Europe, reaching almost 62 000 ha – an addition of more than 2 300 ha compared with 2024. In the Netherlands the certified area grew 3 % to about 48 000 ha, driven by open‑field crops such as potatoes, vegetables, fruit, grains and herbs. Expansion was strongest outside the Netherlands, with Spain adding 456 ha (+6 %) to total 8 253 ha and Italy increasing by 369 ha (+27 %) to 1 738 ha.

Conversely, the livestock side of the scheme contracted. The number of PlanetProof‑certified dairy farms fell from 800 to 763 and the certified dairy area dropped 2 %. Poultry participation also declined, with certified farms decreasing from 30 to 27. The reductions mirror a broader drop in the number of dairy (‑4.5 %) and poultry (‑3.5 %) farms. The Dutch sustainability body SMK said the focus for 2025 is tighter sustainability criteria, including higher domestic protein use, herb‑rich grasslands and improved cow comfort, and noted a pilot with the animal‑welfare group Dierenbescherming involving about 30 dairy farms.