Rotterdam, October 2026 — AgriFood companies expanding into international markets are increasingly faced with the same question: How do you demonstrate that you operate sustainably in a way that truly convinces a foreign buyer, an importing country, or the EU? Market access alone is no longer enough: sustainability has become an integral part of international trade.
This is where the worlds of Phaff Export Marketing and Cooperate Green converge. Since 1991, Phaff has brought experience in opening up international markets for AgriFood companies: networking, trade missions, and matchmaking. Cooperate Green brings sector-specific sustainability expertise, rooted in the same produce sector. Independently, we each cover part of what an exporter needs. Together, we can offer the full picture, and that is exactly why we want to establish this partnership: not as one company providing a service to the other’s client, but as something we develop together.
Behind this partnership are Rosanne Phaff, Managing Director of Phaff Export Marketing, and Eva Meijer, ESG consultant at Cooperate Green. Drawing on their own expertise, they see how international trade and sustainability reinforce each other. Through this partnership, they aim not only to provide support on current issues but also to help look toward the future.
Sustainability as Part of International Business
Since 1991, Phaff has been supporting companies, governments, and industry associations in promoting international trade within the AgriFood sector. With over thirty years of experience and an extensive international network, Phaff understands better than anyone what it takes to enter new markets. Through trade missions, international trade shows, and strategic export support, Phaff connects companies directly with relevant international trade partners and helps organizations realize their international ambitions.
“International business and sustainability are inextricably linked,” says Eva Meijer, ESG consultant at Cooperate Green. “By partnering with Phaff, we can not only support AgriFood organizations with sustainability reporting but also help them develop a strategy that aligns with international markets and future legislation.”
Cooperate Green brings specialized expertise in sustainability and ESG to the table. Cooperate Green’s expertise lies in sector-specific sustainability knowledge: focused on the practical operations of organizations and supply chains within the AgriFood sector, among others. This is not generic consulting, but rather knowledge tailored to the way in which fresh produce is grown, processed, and traded. The experience Eva Meijer has gained in sustainability and ESG initiatives at organizations such as Hillfresh and Volta River Estates further strengthens this sector-specific expertise.
“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for exporters. They are facing new legislation and rising expectations from importers, retailers, and other supply chain partners. It’s important to have not only a compelling narrative but also concrete information and a clear approach to address these issues. By combining our AgriFood and export expertise with Cooperate Green’s specialized sustainability knowledge, we can better support companies in addressing these issues,” said Rosanne Phaff, Managing Director of Phaff Export Marketing.
Combining these areas of expertise creates a comprehensive approach for AgriFood companies that operate internationally or wish to further develop their international market position. Phaff brings expertise in international markets, trade promotion, and market access, while Cooperate Green helps integrate sustainability and ESG into that international strategy from the very beginning. This enables companies not only to adapt to changing laws and regulations but also to better align with the growing sustainability expectations of international customers, retailers, and other supply chain partners.
An important guiding principle in this regard is independent advice. Cooperate Green has no stake in the sale of certificates or credits and can therefore advise organizations from an independent position on what is truly necessary and relevant. Furthermore, when an organization is ready, it can take advantage of the option for independent assurance through Verda.
What are we building together?
The partnership between Phaff and Cooperate Green is more than just offering an additional service to each other’s customers. We want to develop a joint offering that helps AgriFood companies gain practical insight into the sustainability issues relevant to their international operations. That’s why we’re starting with a brief joint quick scan.
In this assessment, we examine, among other things, the implications of the PPWR for packaging, the EUDR for relevant raw material supply chains such as cocoa, coffee, and soy, and developments surrounding the CSRD and VSME. This provides organizations with a quick overview of the requirements and expectations they will face and identifies any areas that may require attention.
The quick scan should be valuable to the client in and of itself. Regardless of whether it leads to a follow-up assignment. The goal is to work together to identify where our combined expertise truly adds value. In this way, we simultaneously gain experience with the approach and gain a better understanding of what clients need.
What This Means for Both of Us
We can provide customers with broader support than either of us could on our own. Phaff brings expertise in international trade and market access, while Cooperate Green translates sustainability issues into practical solutions. Together, we create a service offering that combines international growth and sustainability.
For Phaff, this means expanding the services it offers to AgriFood exporters without having to build up its own expertise in sustainability. For Cooperate Green, the partnership offers direct access to internationally active companies. In addition, both organizations can jointly raise their profile in the market, for example during a meeting or event such as the recent AGF event at Van Gelder.
How We Get Started
We start with one or a few pilot quick scans for clients with international operations. We use these initial projects to discover together what works and how we can best combine our expertise.
Based on that, we’ll determine how we want to structure the partnership: from the division of labor to how we introduce our services to clients and share the proceeds. No big launch upfront—just starting out together, learning, and building on real-world experience.
Interested in a partnership?
Please contact us at info@cooperategreen.com