RTRS Annual Summary 2018
A 28% growth in sales in 2018 was registered compared to the total for 2017. Contributing to this figure, were more than 316,000 tons of RTRS certified soy sold physical flow, an 278% increase on 2017, in addition to 25 new buyers of RTRS certified soy.
2018 marks another strong year of growth and evolution for the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS). 2.8 million tons of certified soy were sold last year, a figure representing a 28% growth increase on the previous year’s total. Contributing to this figure, were more than 316,000 tons of RTRS certified soy sold physical flow, an 278% increase on 2017, in addition to 25 new buyers of RTRS certified soy.
RTRS continues to work closely with producers, and through innovation and new partnerships and programmes, has increased levels of market-ready responsible soy and ensured that this supply is reliable and long-term.
Several major brands, including the Unilever, Arla and Bayer and the new ones such us Lidl, Mars, Sligro and Ikea have shown their long-term commitment to RTRS, and this work will continue.
RTRS has successfully engaged with some of the most significant global market players in 2018. Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, reinforced their commitment to supporting soy farmers in Maranhão and Piauí by purchasing 210,000 RTRS direct trade credits. By tripling the amount of credits purchased (in comparison with 2017), Lidl has RTRS-covered the soy footprint of several European countries, including the UK, which announced their commitment to the programme in 2018. Unilever purchased 300,000 tons of RTRS material in credits and physical flow purchased average annually since 2015. Arla purchased 270,000 tons of RTRS credits purchased annually since 2014.
These international brands have shown that they see RTRS as a robust, holistic and sustainable standard for soy, and in particular a standard that guarantees zero-deforestation and zero conversion.
RTRS enters 2019 as a vital player, ready to seize the challenge and effect global change across one of the world’s most important markets. Supply of RTRS soy is now consistent and able to meet the most demanding markets. This ability to become the sectors primary supplier of responsible soy will be one of the keys to unlock RTRS’ full potential in 2019 and beyond.
Download the complete summary here.
