First edition of the LATAM Task Force: dialogue and action for responsible soy
A key meeting that brought together 45 participants from more than 30 organizations to discuss the challenges and opportunities of responsible soy in Latin America.
The Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) held its first edition of the LATAM Task Force. The event, held on March 20 at the HIT Auditorium in Buenos Aires, gathered 45 participants representing over 30 organizations.
The event fostered a multisectoral dialogue among representatives of Spanish-speaking member and certified organizations, encouraging the exchange of ideas to promote the responsible production, trade, and use of soy in the region.
The meeting’s agenda included the presentation of the four pillars guiding RTRS’s 2027 Strategy, an explanation of the new dynamics of the Task Forces, and the introduction of the coordinators for LATAM, representing each constituency (Producers; Trade, Industry, and Finance; and Civil Society Organizations).
One of the most enriching moments of the event was the group work at eight tables, where each table discussed an exploratory question designed to foster creativity and explore purposes and possible solutions. Participants delved into complex topics and proposed contextualized solutions addressing the region’s challenges.
After a vote among all participants, priority topics identified included the need to boost the trade of certified physical soy, the adoption of practices related to regenerative agriculture, and increasing the visibility of certified producers through effective communication strategies that highlight their commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. Other topics discussed included:
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- Making certification more attractive to producers: Focusing on stimulating demand as the main motivator to expand the certified supply. It was proposed to adopt strategies to strengthen the RTRS brand and promote financial and tax incentives that facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices.
- Group and small producers certification: Emphasizing the need to build trust and facilitate access to certifications through supplier networks, promoting the inclusion of these producers.
- Positioning of RTRS certified soy in current scenarios (aquaculture, EUDR, biofuels): RTRS presented Optional Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR Chain of Custody, designed to support companies in meeting the due diligence requirements established by the regulation.
- Market and product diversification: With the growing adoption of RTRS certified material in the aquaculture sector gaining momentum in Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Southeast Asia, and with products like biodiesel and soybean oil.
- Carbon footprint, sequestration, and emissions: The importance of using local data instead of international data to obtain more precise measurements. It was suggested that RTRS could recommend existing carbon calculators or develop its own in collaboration with INTA.
- Traceability and technology in certification: The need to strengthen digital tools to validate data and facilitate processes.
- Equivalences with other certifications: Exploring how RTRS can integrate complementary certifications to simplify producer certification.
The dynamic concluded with a question on Slido, a live interaction platform, about the main reflections participants took away from the meeting.
“The group work conducted at the tables was fundamental to reflect on the current challenges and opportunities we have as a soy production chain. These dialogues provide us with tools to continue improving the positive impact of responsible soy in Latin America,” commented Luiza Bruscato, RTRS Global Executive Director.
“It is inspiring to see how different parts of the value chain have come together in the same direction. Argentina’s achievements, with an increase in soy certification under the RTRS standard, demonstrate that we can move towards a more responsible future, where local commitment is key to global success,” she added.
These advances in sustainable production are reflected in Argentina’s recent achievements. As of March 2025, RTRS certified soy production in the country grew by 95% compared to the previous year, reaching 767,132 tons and 60 certified producers. Additionally, during 2024, the first group of producers in the country was certified, bringing the total number of certified producers to 66.
Furthermore, regarding RTRS Chain of Custody Certification (CdC), in 2024, there are 40 certified CdC sites in the country, distributed among 39 storage facilities, 18 processing plants, and 9 ports. All this reflects a global commitment to more responsible and transparent sourcing practices.
RTRS also brings together 18 members in Argentina:
- Producers: AAPRESID, Caldenes S.A., Gestión Argentina S.A., Neocampo SRL, Parra Agropecuaria SRL, Salentein Argentina B.V., San Félix S.A., SuriYaco SRL
- Industry, Trade, and Finance: Molinos Agro S.A., Varteco y Química Puntana S.A.
- Civil Society Organizations: Fundación ProYungas and Fundación Vida Silvestre
- Observer Members: AmSpec Argentina Servicios de Inspección S.A., Bureau Veritas Argentina S.A., Cotecna Inspección Argentina S.A., Control Union Argentina S.A., GapGreen, and SGS Argentina S.A.Z.
The next LATAM Task Force meeting will be held on May 14, in a virtual format. More news will be shared soon.
About the work strategy
RTRS is working towards 2027 with a strategy based on four pillars:
- Pillar 1: establishing itself as a global and multisectoral roundtable, promoting collaborative decision-making.
- Pillar 2: building a diverse, balanced, and committed membership base through an attractive value proposition.
- Pillar 3: positioning RTRS certification as a reference in sustainable production of soy and related crops, such as corn and cotton.
- Pillar 4: expanding RTRS market solutions throughout its global network.
We thank the producers, companies, civil society organisations, and certification bodies that took part in this first edition, and we look forward to further strengthening this space in future editions.
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Please access the event’s photo album here: https://tinyurl.com/287an9t9
