At Morrisons we are committed to using sustainable soy in our supply chains.
Soy is an incredibly valuable and versatile commodity. While customers may be familiar with soy used in tofu, soy sauce or as a dairy substitute, the high protein bean (>30%) is a core component of farmed animal feeds, particularly for poultry and pigs. Increasing global demand for meat is in turn driving the expansion of soy cultivation.
While soy can be produced in temperate or tropical climates, South American soy is important for global and European markets, and growth on the continent puts pressure on ecosystems of global ecological value, like the Cerrado in Brazil and Gran Chaco in Argentina. This risks increased rates of deforestation and land clearance and encroachment on the rights of indigenous communities.
Commitment
We are committed to sustainable sourcing and recognise the need for action to address the challenges production of soy poses. Our approach aims to remove the non-essential reliance on soy in animal feeds and ensure its sustainable production where it is used.
In 2018, we became signatories to the Cerrado Manifesto Statement of Support - committing to support efforts to halt forest loss associated with agricultural commodity production and to working with industry, producers, governments and civil society to protect globally important natural landscapes.
We are founding members of the UK Soy Manifesto - A collective UK industry commitment launched in 2021, representing >60% of the UK’s soy footprint, to work together to ensure all physical shipments of soy to the UK are deforestation and conversion free (cut-off date of January 2020 at the latest), fully implemented immediately where possible and no later than 2025.
We are also members of the Retail Soy Group, a pre-competitive collaborative group of retailers, working to find industry-wide solutions for soy.
Working to assure supply chains and reduce reliance
We recognise that there are multiple mechanisms for a verified DCF soy supply chain. We are working closely with our suppliers to find the right solution for their supply chain, including low risk origin, certified segregated and vDCF supply chain controls. Morrisons also recognises the role of other mechanisms as a bridge to achieving vDCF supply chains. Suppliers should use EUDR aligned soy, certified mass balance soy or cover their soy volumes with regional credits whilst the necessary systems are put in place to make vDCF soy available and affordable.
Our footprint
In 2024 we used:
- 156,456 tonnes of soy in either animal feed or as raw ingredients in food products.
- 51% of our 2024 footprint is covered by one of our accepted deforestation free supplier claims or covered by regional RTRS credits.
- 31% is physically verified deforestation and conversion free, either by being sourced from a low risk origin (30%) or certified segregated by a FEFAC benchmarked standard (1%).
- 20% is in transition to being physically verified deforestation and conversion free by being certified mass balance by a FEFAC benchmarked standard (17%) or covered by RTRS regional credits (3%).
- A further 4% of our supply chain is covered by RTRS standard credits.
Supplier engagement
We regularly engage with our suppliers to reiterate our commitment to the UK Soy Manifesto. In 2024, we engaged with the 200 suppliers that have the largest soy footprint for Morrisons as well as all livestock producers that supply our manufacturing business, Myton Food Group. 80% of our suppliers have also adopted a commitment in line with the UK Soy Manifesto.
We also engage with our key branded suppliers and request that they develop plans aligned to our strategic sustainability goals, including deforestation and conversion.
Key milestones
- 2018 Signatory to the Cerrado Manifesto Statement of support
- 2020 launch soy policy and time bound plan
- 2020 Member of the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Soy
- Founding signatories of UK soy manifesto
Please note our figures on deforestation claims are provided as an indication of progress. We are working as part of the UK Soy Manifesto to establish a framework for making verified deforestation and conversion free claims related to soy used in UK supply chains and when this work is concluded we will align our reporting around claims.
*Morrisons recognised standard - Morrisons recognises certification standards that are compliant with all essential FEFAC soy sourcing guidelines and the ‘desired’ criteria 34 - “No soy is produced in converted natural ecosystems (natural forest, native grasslands, wetlands, swamps, peatlands, savannas, steep slopes and riparian areas) after a specific cut-off date no later than 2020”.