Soy is a versatile commodity with a wide range of uses, holding different meanings for various stakeholders in the food and beverage industry. It is a prominent commodity associated with deforestation, primarily due to the extensive cultivation of soy for animal feed. According to the World Resources Institute, 8.2 million hectares of deforestation were linked to soy production between 2001 and 2015, leading to its inclusion in the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Despite its environmental impact, soy also serves as a crucial plant-based protein source for humans, powering a variety of vegetarian and vegan products like tempeh and tofu. This dual role of soy underscores its complex relationship with sustainability in the food industry.
To ensure the soy they source aligns with sustainable practices, manufacturers must prioritize supply chain transparency. Susanne Fromwald of Donau Soja emphasizes the importance of requesting information from suppliers and engaging with widely recognized certification schemes. These schemes provide a benchmark for sustainable soy production, encompassing factors like deforestation prevention, responsible labor practices, and environmental stewardship.
Ensuring traceability in the soy supply chain is crucial, as highlighted by Luiza Bruscato from the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS). By implementing identity preserved (IP) practices and conducting lifecycle assessments (LCAs), companies can track the journey of soybeans from cultivation to consumption, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards.
A case study of Better Nature Tempeh exemplifies how companies can uphold sustainable sourcing practices. By auditing soybean suppliers in Canada for anti-deforestation measures and implementing traceability through lot coding, Better Nature ensures compliance with upcoming regulations like the EUDR.
Compliance with the EUDR necessitates thorough traceability and due diligence in the soy supply chain. Companies must possess geolocation data, engage with certification schemes, and maintain regular communication with suppliers to uphold sustainability standards. While certifications play a crucial role, industry operators and traders must also conduct their own risk assessments to mitigate regulatory breaches.
While the prevalence of sustainable soy is growing, it still constitutes a smaller portion of the market compared to non-sustainable sources. Adhering to guidelines like the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) soy sourcing standards can help increase the adoption of sustainable practices in the soy industry.
However, the EUDR has limitations in addressing all aspects of sustainability. Fromwald points out that the regulation’s focus on deforestation overlooks other forms of land conversion with environmental impacts, such as the clearing of biodiverse areas like the Cerrado in Brazil. To address these gaps, certifications like those offered by Donau Soja and the RTRS go beyond deforestation prevention to include safeguards against land conversion and uphold higher sustainability standards.
