RSPO Connects Latin American Palm Growers with Key Buyers from the Americas to Strengthen Sustainable Supply Chains

USA - English

• MEXICO - Spanish
• BRAZIL - Portuguese

BOGOTA, Colombia, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability representatives from leading consumer goods companies in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, including Hershey's, The J.M. Smucker Company, Blommer Chocolate Company, Edgewell Personal Care, Natura, and Grupo Bimbo, recently traveled to the Ucayali region in the Peruvian Amazon as part of a tour carried out by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The visit also brought together key local actors from Peru's sustainable palm oil sector, including the Association of Palm Growers of Monte Alegre in Neshuya (APROMAN), the Central Committee of Palm Growers of Ucayali (COCEPU), Oleaginosas Amazónicas S.A. (OLAMSA), and Agroindustrias Oleaginosas del Perú S.A. (AOPSA), highlighting the critical role of independent smallholders and local processors in advancing sustainability in the region.

The milestone tour provided downstream RSPO Members with a unique field experience and direct exposure to the sustainable palm oil production model adopted by certified independent smallholders in Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Honduras, setting a regional example of best practices in Latin America. Accompanied by experts from RSPO and Solidaridad Network, participants visited four key sites within Peru's sustainable palm oil landscape: an organic farm operated by COCEPU, the palm oil mill OLAMSA, the value-added palm products company AOPSA, and a farm belonging to APROMAN, the first group of independent smallholders in Peru to become eligible for RSPO certification.

In addition to strengthening connections between key growers and buyers in the sustainable palm oil supply chain, the tour provided valuable insights into how the Peruvian smallholder production model has transformed traditional agricultural practices into more sustainable and responsible approaches. These improvements have led to increased productivity and a more efficient use of natural resources.

"Collaborative strategies and tailored approaches based on a whole-supply-chain perspective can empower more producers to commit to a prosperous palm sector that safeguards the environment and fosters strong, resilient communities," emphasized Pedro Seijas Cárdenas, Technical Manager of APROMAN

This initiative also aimed to foster a broader, collective understanding of the remarkable commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the wellbeing of palm oil producing communities demonstrated by the buyer members in attendance. Their ongoing support has a direct and positive impact on the lives of smallholders and their families, creating a virtuous cycle that strengthens the sustainable palm oil supply chain.

"Hearing directly from people who are the source of our food is really powerful, especially with a commodity ingredient that involves many steps before it gets to us. Being able to see where that food and its raw materials come from shortens the value chain and makes the people involved real," said Erika Meschkat, Associate Manager, Sustainability at JM Smucker.

Building on this perspective, Bella Sosa, RSPO Smallholders Regional Manager for Latin America, affirmed: "These interactions help bridge the gap between global sustainability goals and local realities by fostering mutual learning. Smallholders gain insights into international market expectations and sustainability standards, while buyers develop a deeper understanding of the challenges smallholders face such as limited access to training, markets, and resources needed to meet sustainability requirements."

Latin America has emerged as the fastest-growing region for RSPO certified sustainable palm oil production, with 35% of its total output certified as of 2024. In addition, North America is one of the fastest growing consumer markets globally, with 88.5% of all imports now covered by RSPO certified palm oil.

Building on this momentum, RSPO aims to continue facilitating exchanges that connect smallholders and buyers from both regions, strengthening collaboration and amplifying impact across the supply chain to support a more sustainable future.

About RSPO:
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. Formed in 2004, the RSPO is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organisation that unites members from across the palm oil value chain, including oil palm producers, palm oil processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and social or developmental NGOs.

As a partnership for progress and positive impact, the RSPO facilitates global change to make the production and consumption of palm oil sustainable. To inspire change, we communicate the environmental and social benefits. To make progress, we catalyse collaboration. To provide assurance, we set the standards of certification.

The RSPO is registered as an international association in Zurich, Switzerland, with main offices in Malaysia and Indonesia, and offices in China, Colombia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States. 

SOURCE Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil