RSPO’s First Canadian Roadshow: Strengthening Partnerships for a Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain

By: Juan Camilo Plazas

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) carried out its first-ever roadshow in Canada in January 2026, marking a significant moment of engagement with Canadian companies that play a key role in the North American palm oil supply chain. The visit took place in Toronto and surrounding areas, where several prominent Canadian companies are actively advancing their commitments to responsible sourcing and sustainability.

This first official RSPO visit to Canada was designed to deepen dialogue with member companies, strengthen long-term relationships, and further align efforts to support a more responsible, transparent and resilient sustainable palm oil supply chain.

Throughout the week-long roadshow, RSPO met with several prominent Canadian companies, many of which have integrated sustainability considerations into their operations and sourcing practices. These enterprises included McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and an RSPO Member since 2011; Restaurant Brands International (RBI), owner of globally renowned brands such as Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes, and an RSPO Member since 2016; as well as Sobeys and Loblaw Companies Limited, two of Canada’s leading food retailers and long-standing RSPO Members.

“McCain is committed to sourcing sustainably certified palm oil through the purchase of RSPO Segregated palm oil. In 2026, McCain published its Deforestation Policy, reaffirming its commitment to supporting deforestation-free supply chains through the use of RSPO Standards,” said Gabriella Carrier, Global Sustainable Procurement Manager, McCain Foods. “The RSPO Team support has been invaluable to help our regional teams navigate the RSPO certification process. As we progress on our transition, we look forward to ongoing collaboration with the RSPO team to advance sustainable palm oil practices.”

Broadening momentum across North America

The agenda also featured meetings with Hunter Amenities, a Canadian company specialising in personal care manufacturing and hospitality branding and an RSPO Member since 2012, as well as a follow-up virtual meeting with Dare Foods, a historic Canadian snack manufacturer and RSPO Member since 2016.

Additionally, RSPO convened a regional gathering with associate members, bringing together key supply chain actors including Korex Canada Company, Renechem Inc., FGF Brands, Element Ingredients Inc., PerC Essentials, Forte Ingredients, Andicor Specialty Chemicals, Preferred by Nature and HL Blachford Ltd. Insightful discussions involved multidisciplinary teams from sustainability, procurement and supply chain functions.

As part of the programme, the RSPO team also visited the Toronto Zoo, where the world’s northernmost oil palm in the western hemisphere is cultivated, symbolising both the global reach of the crop and Canada’s broader commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Canada is currently home to 120 RSPO Members, a notable figure for a market of its size and a clear indication of growing engagement around sustainable palm oil, contributing to the broader momentum across North America. This progress is reflected in CSPO uptake surpassing 90% in Europe and North America, alongside an increase in Independent Smallholder (ISH) Credit sales. Globally, certified production now makes up a total of 16.2 million MT (20.1%), according to RSPO’s latest Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP) report.

“RSPO’s first visit to Canada highlights how fast this market is growing and how strong its commitment to sustainability is. Canada is an important strategic and forward-looking market for RSPO in the Americas,” said Carlota Ferrari, RSPO Market Transformation Manager (North America).

This first Canadian roadshow reinforces the value of direct, on-the-ground engagement in strengthening relationships with member companies and supporting continued progress across the sustainable palm oil supply chain.