RSPO Connects Buyers With Palm Oil Producers in Peru

Sustainability representatives from leading consumer goods companies in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil visited the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon as part of a tour organized by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The tour aimed to provide downstream RSPO members with firsthand insight into sustainable palm oil production models led by independent smallholders in Latin America.

Participants included representatives from Hershey's, The J.M. Smucker Company, Blommer Chocolate Company, Edgewell Personal Care, Natura, and Grupo Bimbo. They were joined by key local actors in Peru's sustainable palm oil sector, including the Association of Palm Growers of Monte Alegre (APROMAN), the Central Committee of Palm Growers of Ucayali (COCEPU), Oleaginosas Amazónicas S.A. (OLAMSA), and Agroindustrias Oleaginosas del Perú S.A. (AOPSA).

The itinerary featured visits to an organic farm operated by COCEPU, the OLAMSA palm oil mill, value-added processing at AOPSA, and a farm operated by APROMAN, the first independent smallholder group in Peru eligible for RSPO certification. The tour showcased how local producers are applying sustainable practices that increase productivity and improve natural resource management.

"This type of engagement empowers more producers to commit to a prosperous palm sector that safeguards the environment and fosters strong, resilient communities," said Pedro Seijas, Technical Manager, APROMAN.

The initiative also aimed at strengthening links between growers and buyers while raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities facing smallholder farmers in sustainable palm oil production. Participants heard directly from smallholders and local organizations, gaining perspective on how sustainability investments impact rural communities.

Erika Meschkat, Associate Manager of Sustainability, The J.M. Smucker Company emphasized the value of direct engagement. "Hearing directly from people who are the source of our food is really powerful. Seeing where food and raw materials come from shortens the value chain and makes the people involved real," she stated.

Bella Sosa, Smallholders Regional Manager for Latin America, RSPO, highlighted the importance of mutual learning. "These interactions help bridge the gap between global sustainability goals and local realities. Smallholders gain insights into international market expectations, while buyers develop a deeper understanding of the challenges on the ground," she highlighted.

Latin America is the fastest-growing region for RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, with 35% of the region’s palm oil output certified as of 2024. North America is also one of the fastest-growing consumer markets, with 88.5% of imports covered by RSPO certification.

RSPO plans to continue facilitating exchanges between smallholders and buyers in both regions to enhance collaboration and advance sustainability across the palm oil supply chain.