COFCO Sends First Sustainable Soybean Shipment to China Under 1.5 Million Tonne Mengniu Agreement

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COFCO International has marked a significant milestone in sustainable agriculture with the first shipment of certified sustainable soybeans under its landmark agreement with Mengniu Group. The inaugural load of 69,000 metric tonnes departed this week from COFCO’s newly inaugurated STS11 terminal in Santos, Brazil, en route to China.

This shipment is the first delivery under a long-term commitment in which COFCO will supply 1.5 million tonnes of deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) soybeans to Mengniu Group by 2030. The agreement is part of a broader push by both companies to support sustainable food supply chains and responsible farming practices.

Each tonne of soybean is third-party verified to be DCF as of 31 December 2020, ensuring that the production process has not contributed to deforestation or land conversion. Moreover, the soybeans have undergone rigorous on-farm audits aligned with the COFCO International Responsible Agriculture Standard, Module 2, which includes sustainable water management, biodiversity protection, and ethical labour conditions.

The soybeans are destined for Modern Farming and China Shengmu Organic Milk, two leading subsidiaries of the Mengniu Group, and will be used in the production of sustainable dairy products. The deliveries will follow a mass balance chain of custody model through to 2030, enabling traceability and assurance of sustainability claims.

“We are proud to deliver this first sustainable shipment as part of our long-term partnership with Mengniu Group,” said a COFCO International spokesperson. “This collaboration not only strengthens global agricultural trade but also demonstrates our joint commitment to advancing sustainability throughout the food value chain.”

As global demand for environmentally responsible sourcing grows, this agreement represents a pioneering step for China’s agri-food sector and reinforces Brazil’s role in sustainable commodity exports.