Soy, Argentina’s ‘competitive advantage’: Leading country in certified sustainable individual producers
The country has positioned itself as the leader in individual and multi-site certifications. In 2024, soybean production certified under the RTRS scheme increased by 95%.
(NAP) With a 95% increase in RTRS-certified soybeans over the past year, Argentina has emerged as the leading country for individual and multi-site certifications, reaching a total of 60 producers certified under these modalities.
Additionally, in 2024, the first group of producers in the country obtained certification, bringing the total number of certified producers to 66. Over the past year, certified production grew by 95%, reaching 767,132 tons by March 2025.
This progress reflects the sector’s commitment to sustainable production and access to international markets that prioritize traceability and environmental responsibility.
These advancements were presented at Expoagro 2025 during the talk “Certification as a Competitive Advantage in Agribusiness”, delivered by Laura Villegas, Global Market Development and Corporate Affairs Manager at RTRS. She emphasized that sustainability is no longer just a commitment but an opportunity to align with the international agenda.
Globally, RTRS-certified production in 2025 is estimated to reach 6.6 million tons, with 54,466 certified producers across six countries.
In Argentina, 18 RTRS members, including Aapresid, Molinos Agro S.A., and Fundación ProYungas, actively promote certification.
“RTRS certification is much more than just a sustainability seal; it is a strategic tool that benefits the entire agribusiness value chain, helping companies meet sustainability goals while linking them to regional development programs, conservation efforts, and social objectives, even in high-risk areas or specific corridors. Moreover, it can serve as both an incentive and direct recognition for soybean producers, reinforcing the continuity of responsible and sustainable practices,” Villegas highlighted.
However, it is essential to clarify how the RTRS certification scheme works, as it includes three main modalities for producers: individual, group, and multi-site certification.
- Individual certification: A producer obtains certification for a single farm that meets the RTRS standard.
- Group certification: Allows multiple producers to share RTRS certification costs under a single certificate. A group manager oversees certification and audits, while each producer within the group is responsible for complying with the RTRS standard.
- Multi-site certification: Grants a single certificate to multiple farms under the same management. The certificate holder must ensure compliance with the RTRS standard across all sites, manage audits, and correct non-conformities.
In Argentina, most certified producers fall under individual and multi-site certification, meaning each must undergo full audits and independently cover certification costs.
Regarding group certification, India and Uganda lead in the number of certified producers, with 51,438 and 2,628, respectively.
International regulations
The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2006 in Switzerland.
One of the key topics addressed at Expoagro 2025 was RTRS’s adaptation to global regulations, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Villegas explained that RTRS developed an optional module within its Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard to align with these requirements, facilitating implementation and compliance.
“With this module, we promote sustainable volumes in the market while ensuring that producers receive direct incentives, in addition to implementing rigorous audits,” she stated.
Additional figures and certifications
Regarding RTRS certification for corn, final records for 2024 are expected to include 255 soybean producers worldwide, who certified a total of 806,546 hectares and 4,368,739 tons.
As for RTRS Chain of Custody (CoC) certification in 2024, 16 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia have obtained this certification, totaling 407 certified sites that receive, process, and trade RTRS-certified physical soybeans throughout the supply chain.
This total includes 240 storage facilities, 94 processing plants, 61 ports, 52 transshipment terminals, and 36 commercial offices.
In Argentina, 40 certified sites are registered, including 39 storage facilities, 18 processing plants, and 9 ports.
Regarding the market, Villegas highlighted that in 2024, demand for RTRS-certified material reached 7,463,722 tons, marking a 13% increase compared to 2023. A total of 34 countries adopted RTRS-certified material, with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Brazil among the most notable.
In the ranking of the top 20 organizations that adopted RTRS-certified material in 2024, the top three positions were led by Amaggi Trading from Brazil (711,059), DLG from Denmark (655,365), and De Heus Voeders B.V. from the Netherlands (500,096).
The aquaculture sector also stood out, with more than 1.5 million tons of certified material adopted between 2018 and 2023, mainly in countries like Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. The three companies that adopted the most RTRS-certified material in aquaculture between 2020 and 2024 were Gisis S.A. (638,537); Ewos Chile Alimentos Limitada (222,345); and Vitapro S.A. from Honduras (144,462). (Noticias AgroPecuarias)
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