One Year On: RSPO, AAK, Solidaridad, and ANIAME Partnership Advance Sustainable Palm Oil Production and Smallholder Inclusion in Mexico

By Juan Camilo Plazas Ovalle

One year after the signing of the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), AAK Mexico, Solidaridad, and the National Association of Edible Oils and Shortening Producers (ANIAME), stakeholders gathered in Veracruz, Mexico, last April to mark the initiative’s progress and define the next steps toward a more resilient, inclusive, and deforestation-free palm oil sector in the country.

The event, titled “Linking Results: Progress and Next Steps One Year After the Signing of the Agreement for Zero Deforestation and Sustainable Palm Oil Production,” brought together representatives from RSPO, AAK, Solidaridad, Aceites de Palma, and the smallholder group, Palmicultores de la Rivera. Held in the state of Veracruz, the workshop marked the official launch of on-the-ground activities aimed at helping smallholders within the Aceites de Palma supply chain move toward RSPO Certification, while also reflecting the ongoing efforts of RSPO’s Smallholder Unit to strengthen and support independent smallholder inclusion globally through collaborative partnerships.

The original MoU, initiated in 2024 and extended in 2025, was created to promote sustainable and certified palm oil production in Mexico, with a particular focus on zero deforestation and the inclusion of independent smallholders. Through the pilot project “Getting to Know the Smallholders,” the initiative assessed the agricultural, social, and environmental practices of 260 smallholder producers from four palm oil mills in Veracruz and Chiapas. The findings helped identify gaps and opportunities for improvement while laying the groundwork for future certification efforts.

Backbone of Mexican agriculture

Over the past year, the collaboration has evolved from assessment and planning into concrete field implementation. During the Veracruz event, participants visited a demonstration plot, reviewed soil analysis results, discussed nutrition plans for producers, and symbolically installed the “first post” of the Escuela de Campo para Agricultores ECA (Farmer Field School), reinforcing the long-term commitment to farmer training and sustainable agricultural practices.

Yasmina Neustadtl, Senior Manager of Market Transformation for the Americas at RSPO, addressed producers during the workshop and highlighted the central role smallholders play in the future of sustainable palm oil production. “You are the backbone of Mexican agriculture, the guardians of this land, and the vital source of our palm oil production,” she said. “Without smallholders, there is no sustainability in palm oil.”

Her presentation emphasised how RSPO Certification can provide tangible benefits to smallholders beyond compliance, including access to premium markets, improved productivity through better agricultural practices, and stronger producer organisation. Yasmina also highlighted that smallholders represent approximately 40% of global palm oil production, making their inclusion essential for achieving meaningful sustainability outcomes.

The workshop also showcased how the initiative aligns with broader sustainability commitments from the participating organisations. AAK continues to advance its Terranova: For a Better Earth programme, which includes a dedicated pillar focused on strengthening smallholder producers and promoting sustainable sourcing practices across its supply chain.

Through technical assistance, training programmes, and collaborative support from RSPO, Solidaridad, and Aceites de Palma, producers are gaining access to tools and knowledge that can help improve yields, optimise fertiliser use, strengthen soil management, and enhance long-term resilience against environmental and economic challenges.

Advancing smallholder inclusion in LATAM

The initiative also reflects growing momentum for smallholder inclusion across Latin America. According to RSPO, the region currently includes 17 smallholder groups representing more than 1,190 producers and over 16,000 hectares across Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru, while continuing to expand both the number of members within each group and the steady growth of RSPO member groups across the region. Of those groups, 10 are already RSPO Certified. In Mexico alone, four producer groups represent more than 100 producers across over 2,350 hectares.

As the workshop concluded, participants discussed the successes achieved during the first year of the agreement and reviewed priorities for 2026, including mechanisms to monitor progress and strengthen collaboration among all partners.

The event demonstrated that one year after the signing of the MoU, the partnership is already moving from commitment to action. By combining technical expertise, market engagement, and direct support for producers, the initiative continues to build a pathway toward a more resilient, inclusive, and deforestation-free palm oil sector in Mexico.

About the author: Juan Camilo Plazas Ovalle is the RSPO Communications Manager for the Americas. To get in touch, email: [email protected].