Ryszard Ciupek discusses the importance of certification as a market access tool for Latin America's plant-based producers in this opinion piece. While the region has seen significant growth in plant-based production, gaps in certification infrastructure are hindering export opportunities. In Europe, certification has become a crucial requirement in supply chains, streamlining processes for buyers and reducing onboarding costs. However, in Latin America, this layer of certification remains inconsistent or absent, leading to delays in negotiations and increased transaction costs for producers entering European markets. To bridge this gap, Ciupek emphasizes the need for certification to be integrated into market access strategies from the planning stage, rather than being treated as an afterthought.

Latin America holds strong potential as a plant-based exporter, supported by its agricultural capacity and a growing base of companies entering the sector. However, many producers, particularly small and medium-sized ones, lack familiarity with the specific standards and requirements that define vegan and vegetarian labeling. This knowledge gap not only leads to avoidable delays and additional documentation requests but also poses risks in terms of mislabeling products and facing reputational damage. Ciupek stresses the need for producers to conduct an honest audit of their practices and to incorporate certification into their export strategies early on to streamline communication with international buyers.