In the next three years, Cargill's European refined oils and grain & oilseed businesses will be able to meet all of Unilever's sustainable rapeseed oil needs. It is used in products such as margarines and mayonnaises. As a strategic supplier, Cargill is playing a key role in supporting Unilever's ambitious target to source 100 per cent of its agricultural raw materials as part of its Sustainable Living Plan by 2020.
Cargill and Unilever worked in partnership to verify German oilseed rape production against the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code, building on an initial pilot project started in 2008. A positive outcome of the work is that Cargill and Unilever now have established a repeatable model that can be applied to drive sustainability within other oilseed crops in the future.
Through this commitment on rapeseed, Unilever, Cargill and farmers will agree annual improvement plans beyond those required by mandated European good agricultural practice. This will include optimising agricultural inputs and agreeing biodiversity action plans to support environmental and habitat enhancement. Such actions will involve increasing available habitat for insects, including wild bees.
"Unilever has a bold ambition: to double the size of its business whilst halving the environmental impact of its products. In 2011, we increased the volume of sustainable sourced agricultural raw materials to 24 per cent from 10 per cent in 2010. This shows we are making good progress. However, to achieve our ambition, it is vital that we work in closer partnership with our strategic suppliers like Cargill," says David Pendlington, procurement operations manager, sustainable sourcing, Unilever.
"Today's announcement demonstrates the strength and commitment of our partnership. Cargill is a strategic partner for our oils and foods ingredients. We recognise their leadership role in converting to sustainable oils," Pendlington added.
