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Our ESG Story

Sustainability is not a separate agenda – it is embedded in how we run our business every day.

FY2025 at a glance Bidcorp remains committed to excellence in governance, sustainability, and performance.

Bidcorp is a global business built on the strength of diverse management teams who create value by addressing unique risks and opportunities. Among the most material matters we face are sustainability challenges, issues that are increasingly important to customers, suppliers, investors, and regulators.

We achieved a major milestone ahead of schedule: the board's 2018 target of a 25% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 was surpassed in F2024, when we reported a 33% reduction. Building on this, the board has committed to a further 25% reduction in carbon emissions over the next decade, using F2024 as the baseline.

Our sustainability framework is built on four focus areas – People, Product, Planet, and Principals – embedded across our 31-country operations.

About Bidcorp

How we think about sustainability Three levels of impact

Bidcorp's scale as a global foodservice distributor – 31 countries, 30 000+ employees, over 360 000 product lines – means our sustainability choices ripple across the food system.

We don't just manage our own footprint; we shape what millions of hospitality operators buy, how they think about food safety, and what reaches the end consumer's plate.

Our operations

Level 1

Our operations

Our operations depend on stable ecosystems and affordable energy. So we invest in electrifying our fleet, generating our own solar power, upgrading cold chain refrigeration, and keeping our 30 581 people safe and supported.

Explore Planet

Our sustainability framework People, Product, Planet, and Principals

Each of these four pillars addresses the material risks and opportunities most relevant to our stakeholders, our communities, and the food system we're part of.

Bidfood New Zealand warehouse staff culture day

People

Our people are our most important asset, enabling us to deliver the best possible service. Training and developing our teams, and investing in the communities we serve, is a core part of our business strategy.

30 581 Employees worldwide
R77,1m Community investment
26% Women in workforce
3.2 Lost time injury rate
Explore People
Customer browsing product shelf at Bidfood

Product

Our extensive product range enables us to meet a wide range of our customers' needs. Transparent product information and sustainable choices empower customers to make greener, healthier decisions.

100% RSPO-certified palm oil
92,5% Suppliers reducing carbon
19 Sustainability factsheets
360 602 Products in our range
Explore Product
Solar panels on Bidfood Worthing warehouse roof

Planet

Protecting the planet is a business imperative. We reduce emissions, minimise waste, and invest in renewable energy. Our target: a further 25% reduction by 2034.

25% Reduction target by 2034
74 Solar installations
15% Clean power share
18% F-gas emissions reduction
Explore Planet
Bidfood De Clercq branch reception staff

Principals

Strong governance is the foundation of our sustainability commitments. Our board retains ultimate responsibility for ESG. The ESEC meets quarterly, and Divisional Audit & Risk Committees provide frontline oversight across all 31 countries.

31 Countries of operation
2nd year PwC independent assurance
30% Female board representation
Quarterly ESEC oversight meetings
Explore Principals

Our commitment A further 25% reduction by 2034

Having surpassed the board's 2018–2025 emissions target a full year ahead of schedule, achieving a 33% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions, Bidcorp has set a new decade-long goal: a further 25% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2034, measured against the F2024 baseline. Progress is tracked monthly and reported annually, with independent limited assurance provided by PwC for the second consecutive year.

Governance

  • Board retains ultimate responsibility
  • ESEC meets quarterly to review ESG metrics
  • Divisional Audit & Risk Committees (DARCs) provide frontline oversight

Strategy

  • 31 standalone businesses, each managing local ESG compliance
  • DARCs meet quarterly to review divisional ESG risks
  • Annual budgeting incorporates ESG capital investments

Reporting

  • Follows JSE Disclosure Guidance
  • Aligned with GRI, SASB, TCFD, and UN SDGs
Animated illustration showing Bidcorp's emissions reduction journey from 33% achieved to a further 25% target

ISS ESG QualityScores – as at 30 June 2025

3
Environmental
2024: 4
6
Governance
2024: 4
6
Social
2024: 7

Scores are assessed against JSE-listed peer group. Lower scores indicate improvement. 2024 CDP Discloser. Bidcorp has committed to continued reporting through CDP.

How we listen Stakeholder Engagement

Our sustainability strategy is shaped by the people who depend on us – investors, employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and regulators. How we engage with each group, and what we hear, informs our priorities every year.

Investors & Shareholders

We engage investors through our full annual reporting suite, results presentations, SENS announcements, and direct analyst briefings. ESG performance is a standing item in investor conversations.

Employees

Our people are engaged through training investment, safety committees, reward programmes, and local works councils. In FY2025, we completed 418 153 hours of training and spent R100,6 million on employee development.

Customers

We help our customers make better decisions – through sustainability factsheets, COβ‚‚ dashboards, test kitchens, and the myBidfood platform. Our job is to make the sustainable choice the easy choice.

Suppliers

All suppliers operate under our Supplier Code of Conduct. We conduct ethical trade audits through Sedex, and work with key suppliers on carbon measurement, packaging reduction, and responsible sourcing standards.

Communities

Community isn't a side project – it's at the heart of who we are. In FY2025 we invested R77,1m across donations and sponsorships, focusing on food and feeding programmes, especially for children and the elderly.

Regulators & Authorities

We report under JSE Listings Requirements and King IV, and align our disclosures with GRI, SASB, TCFD, and UN SDG frameworks. As mandatory sustainability reporting requirements come into effect globally, we are positioning to meet them.

From across the group ESG Stories

Across our operations, our supply chain, and our customers' businesses, our 31 operating companies are translating targets into action. These are some of the stories from FY2025.

Planet

Solar roll-out accelerates across the group

Bidcorp now operates 74 solar installations across its depot and warehouse network β€” up from 64 in 2024, a 16% increase. New builds across Australasia, Europe, and Emerging Markets are now designed to include solar as standard, reducing reliance on grid electricity and cutting scope 2 emissions.

Group-wide
Planet

Electric vehicles gain traction in our fleets

The group's electric delivery vehicle fleet reached 1,4% of total delivery vehicles in FY2025, up from 0,7% in 2024. Passenger vehicle electrification progressed further, with nearly 20% of the passenger fleet now electric. The Netherlands led the way, with regulation driving record EV investment.

Netherlands / Group
People

Czech Republic flood response

When extreme flooding struck Opava in September 2024, Bidcorp's Czech Republic and Poland operations responded immediately β€” providing substantial cash donations and in-kind supplies to communities organising relief. The business also helped affected restaurant customers resume operations, demonstrating our deep community ties.

Czech Republic & Poland
People

418 000 training hours invested in our people

Bidcorp completed 418 153 training hours in FY2025 β€” a 16% increase on the prior year β€” reflecting significant investment in employee development across all geographies. Training spend reached R100,6 million as the group prioritises skills development and career progression for its 30 000+ workforce.

Group-wide
Principals

PwC independent assurance for second consecutive year

For the second year running, Bidcorp voluntarily engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to perform independent limited assurance on the group's total scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions. While not legally required, this engagement reflects our commitment to credible, transparent non-financial reporting.

Group-wide
Principals

Bidfood sustainability factsheets empower customers

Bidfood businesses across multiple countries now provide customers with product-level sustainability factsheets β€” covering carbon footprint, packaging recyclability, and ethical sourcing credentials. These tools help hospitality operators make informed, sustainable procurement decisions.

UK / Europe / Australasia
Product

Bidfood UK ranked sixth in Europe for sustainable palm oil

Bidfood UK was ranked sixth in Europe within the retail sector for its dedication to sustainable palm oil. Notably, 100% of the palm oil used in Own Brand food products supplied to caterers is RSPO certified as sustainable β€” a significant milestone for responsible sourcing.

United Kingdom
Product

Sustainability Compass launches in Netherlands

In November 2024, Bidfood Netherlands introduced its "Duurzaamheidskompas" (Sustainability Compass), providing clients with detailed insights into COβ‚‚ emissions per product, encompassing lifecycle emissions from both production and delivery. Each delivery is accompanied by a COβ‚‚ dashboard.

Netherlands

View Results, Reports & Presentations

Our commitments Linking to the Frameworks

JSE Listings Requirements

Disclosure and governance obligations for JSE-listed companies.

King IV Report on Corporate Governance

South African corporate governance principles guiding board conduct.

GRI Standards

Global Reporting Initiative standards for sustainability disclosures.

SASB / IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

Industry-specific sustainability accounting standards for investors.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 global goals to which Bidcorp maps its sustainability activities.

TCFD Recommendations

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures reporting framework.

Reports & Downloads

Sustainability Report 2025
September 2025 · PDF
PwC Independent Assurance Report 2025
September 2025 · PDF
GRI & SASB Cross-reference Index
September 2025 · PDF