Latin American Smallholders and Global Brands Unite in Peruvian Amazon to Advance Sustainable Palm Oil

Sustainability representatives from some of the most recognised consumer goods companies in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, including Blommer Chocolate Company, Edgewell Personal Care, Grupo Bimbo, Hershey’s, Natura and The J.M. Smucker Company, recently visited the Ucayali region in the Peruvian Amazon as part of a tour organised by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

The visit also brought together key actors from Peru’s sustainable palm oil sector, such as 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), underscoring the critical role of independent smallholders and local palm processors in advancing sustainability in the region.

The tour offered RSPO buyer members a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the sustainable production model adopted by certified smallholders in Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru, highlighting Latin America’s role as a regional benchmark in best practices.

In addition to strengthening ties between producers and buyers, the visit showcased how the Peruvian model has transformed traditional agricultural practices into more sustainable and responsible approaches, leading to improved productivity and more efficient use of natural resources.

Latin America has established itself as the fastest-growing region for RSPO Certified sustainable palm oil production, with 35% of its output now certified. At the same time, North America stands out as one of the fastest-growing consumer markets, with 88.5% of its imports covered by certified supply chains.