November 17, 2020

Bunge increases monitoring of high-risk areas of deforestation in South America

Bunge has announced early this month its 9th Non-Deforestation Progress Report highlighting additional progress toward its goal of achieving deforestation-free value chains worldwide by 2025.

In Brazil, monitoring has now reached 95% - a four percentage point increase since October 2019 - of the direct soybean volumes sourced from the high-risk areas in the Cerrado region. Bunge also announced it has maintained 100% of the monitoring level in the Chaco region of Argentina and Paraguay.

"Our non-deforestation commitment is among the most important priorities for our company and our entire industry," said Rob Coviello, senior vice president of sustainability and government affairs at Bunge. "Our progress toward these goals reflects our continued collaboration with producers in South America and an increased focus on working with partners to create innovative solutions."

In addition to reaching the 95% monitoring threshold, Bunge maintains 100% traceability to origin for direct purchases in Brazil and in regions at risk of deforestation in the Chaco region of Argentina and Paraguay. Soy volumes are classified as traceable when Bunge has information such as the Rural Environmental Registry number, GPS coordinates or complete location details of the property where the soy was produced.

The release of the latest non-deforestation report comes as Bunge announced its new digital offering – AgroApp Bunge - that will allow producers in Brazil to grant access to their properties' Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) data via cell phone. The AgroApp also provides information on the socio-environmental data across Bunge's origination processes, information on environmental legislation and access to sustainable production support tools.

Bunge is a founding member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's (WBCSD) Soft Commodities Forum (SCF) which works to increase transparency for its members' supply chains, encourages effective sector collaboration and promotes initiatives that balance environmental, social and economic interests.

- Bunge