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Evidence Database

A collection of evidence uncovered through independent investigations by non-profit organizations. They are likely only the tip of the iceberg.
Brazil condemns Cargill for Slave/Child Labor

September 2023

Brazil condemns Cargill for Slave/Child Labor. The judge said in her ruling that there was no doubt about slave-like conditions and use of child labor on the farms, as well as their connection with Cargill.

September 27, 2023
File A0001

‘Soybean pirate’ grown in the Amazon accelerates deforestation and has the participation of agricultural giants

A joint investigation by Repórter Brasil, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Greenpeace showed a scheme to launder grains planted illegally in the north of Mato Grosso, allowing soybeans from deforested areas to enter international supply chains that claim to be deforestation-free. In this case, soybeans produced by a farmer in recently deforested areas entered the chain of Aliança, a company that supplies Cargill and other trading companies.

June 9, 2023
File A0002

Cargill buys soybeans from a farm that cleared the Amazon and violates the sector’s pact

An investigation by Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill bought soy and corn from a farm in São José do Xingu (MT), also in the Amazon biome, which destroyed approximately 800 hectares of forest between 2013 and 2015. The negotiations between Cargill and the farm occurred despite soybean planting in areas of recent deforestation having been confirmed by the Soy Working Group (GTS), the entity responsible for monitoring the Amazon Soy Moratorium.

June 9, 2023
File A0003

The “green” Fuel That Drives Deforestation

A report by Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill imported, through its Belgian arm in October 2021, almost 5 million litres of biodiesel made with beef tallow linked to deforestation, produced by the Brazilian company BSBios.

June 9, 2023
File A0004

Cargill, Amaggi and Cofco buy family soybeans with embargoed and set on fire in Mato Grosso

Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill and other agricultural traders bought soy from a family of farmers with interdicted and burned areas in Mato Grosso. The soybean production took place in areas of adjoining farms, where Brazilian environmental agencies found illegal deforestation. The family supplying the company is being investigated by the Federal Prosecution Service and the Mato Grosso State Prosecution Service and has also been fined by the State Environment Secretariat.

June 9, 2023
File A0005

Peasants of Serra do Centro

A number of studies have shown Cargill’s connection not only with deforestation, but also with the rise of land conflicts in the biome, where soy plantations have occupied the lands of peasant communities and Indigenous Peoples with the monoculture.

June 9, 2023
File A0006

Philanthropist in São Paulo is accused of deaths and theft of land in the Northeast

A report by Repórter Brasil showed that a Cargill supplier with farms in Piauí and Maranhão is accused of illegally appropriating land, as well as being pointed out by small farmers to have threatened and ordered the killing of those who opposed him in the process.

June 9, 2023
File A0007

Bunge and Cargill buy soybeans contaminated by violence and deforestation’ from Agronegócio Estrondo,

Greenpeace research showed that Cargill buys grain from a large farm in Bahia involved in deforestation and intimidation of traditional communities, in a place where two local leaders had been shot that year. The company that owns the farm is suspected of buying favourable rulings from judges in the region.

June 9, 2023
File A0008

Seeds of Conflict: How global commodity traders contribute to human rights abuses in Brazil’s soy sector

In November 2021, Global Witness’ research showed that Cargill operated businesses with soy producers involved in conflicts with small farmers in Correntina, western Bahia. This includes cases of intimidation, destruction of community property and death threats to members of traditional communities.

June 9, 2023
File A0009

The Trail of Destruction Caused by Soy in Brazil’s Cerrado

A November 2022 investigation into the case by Repórter Brasil revealed new connections between trading companies operating in the European market and land conflicts in the region, including Cargill itself. The local community reports that coexistence with the agribusinesses includes constant threats made by private security teams hired by the companies to guard the area. The soybean produced by Agrícola Xingu, a company linked to the conflict in the region, was later acquired by ALZ Grãos, which has Cargill among its clients. Other studies and research have also connected Cerrado deforesters to Cargill’s supply chain.

June 9, 2023
File A0010

Soy produced by company involved in a land conflict in Matopiba supplies the industry’s multinationals

A November 2022 investigation into the case by Repórter Brasil revealed new connections between trading companies operating in the European market and land conflicts in the region, including Cargill itself. The local community reports that coexistence with the agribusinesses includes constant threats made by private security teams hired by the companies to guard the area. The soybean produced by Agrícola Xingu, a company linked to the conflict in the region, was later acquired by ALZ Grãos, which has Cargill among its clients. Other studies and research have also connected Cerrado deforesters to Cargill’s supply chain.

June 9, 2023
File A0011

The Chain: Active Fires Detected in SLC Agrícola’s Fazenda Perdize Property in the Amazon

Dutch organisation AidEnvironment showed that Palmeira Farm, owned by the SLC Agrícola group, burned 4,700 hectares of Cerrado. The deforestation occurred legally, after environmental permits were issued. Reports produced by Chain Reaction Research point to a large loss of forest cover occurring in areas owned by SLC Agrícola between 2015 and 2020, close to 210 km².23/24 SLC Agrícola is one of Brazil’s largest producers of soy, corn, and cotton, and Cargill is one of their main traders of their produce.

June 9, 2023
File A0012

Soya linked to fires and deforestation in Brazil feeds chicken sold on the British high street

Dutch organisation AidEnvironment showed that Palmeira Farm, owned by the SLC Agrícola group, burned 4,700 hectares of Cerrado. The deforestation occurred legally, after environmental permits were issued. Reports produced by Chain Reaction Research point to a large loss of forest cover occurring in areas owned by SLC Agrícola between 2015 and 2020, close to 210 km².23/24 SLC Agrícola is one of Brazil’s largest producers of soy, corn, and cotton, and Cargill is one of their main traders of their produce.

June 9, 2023
File A0013

About SLC Agrícola

Dutch organisation AidEnvironment showed that Palmeira Farm, owned by the SLC Agrícola group, burned 4,700 hectares of Cerrado. The deforestation occurred legally, after environmental permits were issued. Reports produced by Chain Reaction Research point to a large loss of forest cover occurring in areas owned by SLC Agrícola between 2015 and 2020, close to 210 km².23/24 SLC Agrícola is one of Brazil’s largest producers of soy, corn, and cotton, and Cargill is one of their main traders of their produce.

June 9, 2023
File A0014

Active Fires Detected in SLC Agrícola’s Fazenda Perdizes Property in the Amazon

Dutch organisation AidEnvironment showed that Palmeira Farm, owned by the SLC Agrícola group, burned 4,700 hectares of Cerrado. The deforestation occurred legally, after environmental permits were issued. Reports produced by Chain Reaction Research point to a large loss of forest cover occurring in areas owned by SLC Agrícola between 2015 and 2020, close to 210 km².23/24 SLC Agrícola is one of Brazil’s largest producers of soy, corn, and cotton, and Cargill is one of their main traders of their produce.

June 9, 2023
File B0001

Fires in Indonesia Produce Worst Haze Since Last Summer

Cargill could be linked to fires in palm oil production areas in Indonesia

June 9, 2023
File B0002

The Chain: Norway divests from palm oil deforestation, APP’s historic commitment, and more

Labor conditions in Malaysia palm oil plantation by Felda, "one of the world’s largest producers of crude palm oil, whose customers include major agribusinesses such as Cargill, as well as consumer brands like Nestlé and Proctor & Gamble." / " Cargill and its customers said they weren’t aware of alleged labor abuses on palm-oil plantations and would investigate.” Civil society groups are calling for a full RSPO investigation of the practices detailed in the story. The RSPO has since indicated that it is working to gather more information.

June 9, 2023
File B0003

The Chain: Buyers paying more for CSPO and IPOP disbandedrom palm oil deforestation, APP’s historic commitment, and more

Cargill supports the dissolution of Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge, sustainability commitment signed by Indonesia's biggest palm oil refiners in 2014.

June 9, 2023
File B0004

2016 Sustainability Benchmark: Indonesian Palm Oil Growers

"In June 2015, the Indonesian NGO Greenomics released a report documenting destruction of forests in South Sorong district, West Papua. Greenomics found that BWPT’s subsidiary PT Varia Mitra Andalan cleared High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests through March 2015. BWPT’s buyers GAR and Cargill, who have NDPE policies, said they would investigate the matter and engage with the company. Satellite imagery shows that, after clearing 1,000 ha of forests, the clearing stopped mid-2015."

June 9, 2023
File B0005

Indonesian Palm Oil’s Stranded Assets – 10 Million Football Fields of Undevelopable Land

"Eagle High Plantations has an area of 33,694 ha under concession. After a report was published in 2015 that showed the clearing of 500 to 1,000 ha of HCS forest on PT Varia Mitra Andalan’s 20,318 ha concession, Eagle High Plantations’ main buyers Golden Agri-Resources and Cargill intervened. In response, Eagle High Plantations stopped land development on this concession resulting in 18,926 ha as stranded land."

June 9, 2023
File B0006

SLC Agrícola: Cerrado Deforestation Poses Risks to Revenue and Farmland Assets

From 2011 to 2017, SLC Agrícola cleared a total of 39,887 ha of land of its original vegetation. For over 30,000 ha, this vegetation is classified as Cerrado forest by Brazil’s Ministry of Environment. These areas have also been recognized for their high biodiversity value by the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS). SLC indicates that another 42,000 ha is still to be developed. SLC farms are located in areas where illegal land grabbing (‘grilagem’) is common, and SLC Agrícola’s business partners have faced legal charges. SLC’s client base consists of the large international soy traders, including Cargill,

June 9, 2023
File B0007

Brasil Agro – Cerrado Deforestation Could Reduce Farmland Value, Put Soy Revenue at Risk

"In 2016 three large companies formed 75 percent of its client base. These companies were Brenco, Cargill and Bunge." / "Between 2012-2017, Brasil Agro has deforested 21,690 hectare (ha) of Cerrado

June 9, 2023
File B0008

Cargill: Zero-Deforestation Approach Leaves Room for Land Clearing in Brazil’s Maranhão

"Cargill’s zero-deforestation approach still leaves room for ongoing deforestation in its supply chain. Its 2030 cut-off date and prioritization of tackling illegal deforestation allows producers to continue Cerrado deforestation. Opaque supplier relations may keep environmental and social risks from sight of investors." / Within a 25 km radius around Cargill’s warehouse facility in Sambaíba in Maranhão, satellite imagery by Aidenvironment shows a loss of 7,507 ha of native Cerrado vegetation. This suggests that forest loss around Cargill’s facilities might be significant. Commenting in April 2018, Cargill said it was “still investigating” to verify these findings."

June 9, 2023
File B0009

The Chain: Bunge, Cargill, Others Fined for Brazilian Deforestation in Cerrado; Investors Push Bunge to Ban Deforestation-Linked Suppliers

"Ibama and federal prosecutors have fined Bunge, Cargill, ABC Indústria e Comércio SA, JJ Samar Agronegócios Eireli, and Uniggel Proteção de Plantas collectively USD 6.7 million for deforestation-related activities and land clearing in the Matopiba region – comprising Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí and Bahia states – in Brazil’s Cerrado. The fines arose because the five traders allegedly purchased 3,000 metric tons of soy and other products from areas illegally deforested and protected under Brazilian law. Ibama stated that “during the investigation it was verified that the anticipated purchase of grains financed the illegal activity.”"

June 9, 2023
File B0010

GAMA Plantation Faces Legal Risks from Peat Fires

Gama cleared 21,500 hectares of forest and peatland between 2015 and 2018. Cargill "had or has" trading links with the group.

June 9, 2023
File B0011

The Chain: Malaysian BLD Tops List of Major Deforesters in 2018

In 2017, the top 10 deforesters in Indonesia and Malaysia were responsible for 40,000 hectares of clearance. BDL cleared 1,702 ha of peat and 1,307 ha of forests in Malaysia and it appears in Cargill's supply chain.

June 9, 2023
File B0012

SLC Agrícola: Planned Deforestation Could Contradict Buyers’ ESG Policies

"SLC Agrícola has requested environmental licenses for clearing 16,938 ha of land." / "In 2017, SLC Agrícola’s main clients were Cargill Agrícola and Amaggi LD Commodities, which generated respectively 27.6 percent and 12.1 percent of SLC Agrícola’s net revenues (in total 39.7 percent)."

June 9, 2023
File B0013

Brasil Agro: 5,069 Hectares of Cerrado Forest at Imminent Risk

"Brasil Agro plans to clear 5,069 ha of remaining native vegetation on its Bahia farms by December 2018." / "Brasil Agro’s three current clients for its soy and corn produce are Bunge, Cargill and Amaggi, all of which have zero-deforestation policies."

June 9, 2023
File B0014

The Chain: Malaysian BLD Tops List of Major Deforesters in 2018

"The biggest deforester this year in Southeast Asia has been the Malaysian company Bintulu Lumber Development (BLD), which cleared 1,702 ha of peat and 1,307 ha of peat forest on its plantation in Mukah division in Sarawak, Malaysia." Cargill is linked to 5 of the Top 10 deforesters in 2018 in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia

June 9, 2023
File B0015

The Chain: Brasil Agro Moves Forward with Deforestation at Chaparral

"Brasil Agro continues to clear land on its Chaparral farm in Correntina, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Bahia. In October and November, the company deforested a total of 1,194 hectares at Chaparral" / Brasil Agro’s activity in the Cerrado is legal, but it could still lead to business and financial risks. Its main buyers – Bunge, Cargill and Amaggi – all have zero-deforestation policies and have taken steps recently to strengthen them."

June 9, 2023
File B0016

The Chain: NDPE Uptake Impacts List of Top 10 Deforesters in SE Asia

"Brasil Agro continues to clear land on its Chaparral farm in Correntina, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Bahia. In October and November, the company deforested a total of 1,194 hectares at Chaparral" / Brasil Agro’s activity in the Cerrado is legal, but it could still lead to business and financial risks. Its main buyers – Bunge, Cargill and Amaggi – all have zero-deforestation policies and have taken steps recently to strengthen them."

June 9, 2023
File B0017

The Chain: Cargill May Still Face Reputation, Business Risks Despite Updated Zero-Deforestation Policy for Soy

Lack of clarity on Cargill's commitments to include soy in its deforestation-free strategy

June 9, 2023
File B0018

The Chain: Bewani Oil Palm Plantation Divestment Increases Risks of Continued Deforestation in Palm Oil Supply Chains

"[Bewani Oil Palm Plantation - BOPPL] had been responsible for approximately 20,000 ha of forest clearance since 2010, including almost 3,000 ha in 2018." Cargill has trading links to shadow companies linked to BOPPL

June 9, 2023
File B0019

Brazilian State of Tocantins: A Hotspot for Cerrado Deforestation

"Soy sourced from Tocantins carries a high risk of being linked to legal and illegal deforestation. Case studies reveal that soy production in the municipalities Lagoa de Confusão and Campos Lindos could be linked to illegal deforestation, environmental fines, embargoed areas, land disputes, and slave labor. Glencore and Cargill are the main soy traders in these municipalities." / "Cargill Agrícola is the largest exporter of soy in Campos Lindos. The company accounted for 95.7 percent of the total soy exports in the municipality in 2017, most of which went to China. The company operates three silos in adjacent municipality Balsas in Maranhão."

June 9, 2023
File B0020

The Chain: SLC Agrícola Clears 1,355 Hectares of Cerrado Vegetation Despite Customers’ Zero-Deforestation Commitments

Clearance of 1,355 ha in SLC's properties in 2 months (between March and May 2019). Cargill represents 30.1 percent of SLC Agrícola sales.

June 9, 2023
File B0021

Cargill’s New Policies Insufficient to Fully Mitigate Deforestation Risks in Brazil

"Cargill’s new policies may not mitigate all deforestation risks in its Brazilian supply chain. Cargill may be exposed to Cerrado deforestation risks beyond the 25 SCF priority municipalities. Financial incentives may not discourage legal deforestation. Non-compliance with the Soy Moratorium remains a risk in the Amazon biome."

June 9, 2023
File B0022

The Chain: Main Southeast Asian Deforesters of 2019 Supplying NDPE Market

Cargill is linked to 4 of the top 10 deforesters in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea in 2019.

June 9, 2023
File B0023

The Chain: China’s Palm Oil Imports Surge Amid Global Trade Shifts, Potentially Challenging Zero-Deforestation Commitments

Indonesia is the second supplier of palm oil to China, "If China now starts importing significant crude palm oil volumes, that could be a major factor in the leakage market." Cargill is a key palm oil player in China.

June 9, 2023
File B0024

JJF Holding Land-Grabbing Case Intensifies Soy Traders’ Exposure to Cerrado Deforestation

"Bunge, ALZ Grãos and Cargill have warehouses operating inside the JJF Holdings’ area". JJF is one of the largest land grabbing cases in Brazil.

June 9, 2023
File B0025

The Chain: Repeat Offenders Continue to Clear Forests for Oil Palm in Southeast Asia

Marita Makmur Jaya, owned by the Peputra Group, cleared 2,100 ha of peat and peat forest in 2019. Peputra Group is Cargill's supplier.

June 9, 2023
File B0026

The Chain: SLC Agricola Moves Forward with Clearing 5,200 Hectares of Native Vegetation

"SLC Agricola, the largest listed soybean producer in Brazil, cleared a total of 5,200 hectares (ha) of native vegetation in the first quarter of 2020." Cargill is one of the largest buyers of soy from SLC Agrícola. / " In 2019, Cargill confirmed it sourced from Fazenda Parneiro and that the company would review the case further. It remains unclear whether Cargill has taken any further action in response to the clearing in 2019 or 2020. The company did not respond to CRR for a request for comment."

June 9, 2023
File B0027

Deforestation for Agricultural Commodities a Driver of Fires in Brazil, Indonesia in 2019

"SLC Agricola, the largest listed soybean producer in Brazil, cleared a total of 5,200 hectares (ha) of native vegetation in the first quarter of 2020." Cargill is one of the largest buyers of soy from SLC Agrícola. / " In 2019, Cargill confirmed it sourced from Fazenda Parneiro and that the company would review the case further. It remains unclear whether Cargill has taken any further action in response to the clearing in 2019 or 2020. The company did not respond to CRR for a request for comment."

June 9, 2023
File B0028

The Chain: Brasil Agro’s String of New Farmland Acquisitions Signals Ongoing Land Speculation

"Brasil Agro, a publicly-traded farmland investor, has expanded its farmland holdings by 33,500 hectares (ha) in recent months. Native vegetation covers 11,915 ha of this area, and it may be at imminent risk of being cleared if Brasil Agro moves ahead with its development plans." / "ADM ceased its purchases from Brasil Agro in 2016, though it is unclear whether deforestation was the reason. Bunge, Cargill, and Amaggi, all buyers of soy from Brasil Agro, have zero-deforestation policies."

June 9, 2023
File B0029

The Chain: Pressure Grows on Traders, Investors to Take Action on Cerrado Deforestation at SLC Agrícola Farms

Brazilian soy producer SLC Agrícola continues to move forward with clearing land for cultivation despite increased attention on its operations in the Cerrado.. Cargill is one of the main buyers of soy from SLC Agrícola. "Late last year, Greenpeace released a report that said Bunge and Cargill – the two companies most exposed to fires in their supply chains in 2019 – are “still fuelling destruction of Brazil’s Cerrado”

June 9, 2023
File B0030

The Chain: Cargill Subsidiary Cut Off From Grieg Seafood’s Green Bond Proceeds Over Deforestation

"Norwegian Grieg Seafood will not allow any funds from its Green Bond to be used to purchase feed supply from Cargill Aqua Nutrition, which is wholly owned by Cargill Inc." / Grieg Seafood is opening a dialogue with Cargill about its operations in Brazil, hoping to push the company to reduce its deforestation risks. The dialogue is occurring although Grieg Seafood does not source from Cargill’s operations in Brazil. Grieg Seafood, in taking a corporate ownership perspective rather than one that is focused on its direct value chain, is looking to use its market power to sway companies to take action to curb deforestation." / "Nestlé stopped sourcing all of its purchases of Brazilian soy from Cargill in 2019 amid the trader not being able to trace soy from its suppliers and changes in policy regarding deforestation in Brazil."

June 9, 2023
File B0031

The Chain: Record breaking year for Brazil soy exports drives deforestation and land insecurity in the Cerrado Biome

"For the major soy traders operating in Formosa do Rio Preto, such as Bunge, ALZ Grãos, and Cargill, continued links to deforestation, human rights abuses, and illegal activity heighten risks related to stranded assets, market access, financing, and reputation."

June 9, 2023
File B0032

The Chain: SLC Agrícola to Continue With Immediate Plans For Land Clearing Despite Zero-Deforestation Rhetoric

"SLC Agrícola’s top buyer, Cargill, has been cut off by consumer goods company Nestlé in Brazil for not being able to trace soy from its suppliers and changes in policy regarding deforestation in Brazil, while Grieg Seafood will not use proceeds from its newly launched green bond to buy from a Cargill subsidiary."

June 9, 2023
File B0033

Update: United Malacca’s 60,000-Hectare Industrial Tree Plantation Development Risks Market Access, Raises Questions About Scope of NDPE Policy Implementation

"UMB has oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah (Malaysia), and Central Kalimantan (Indonesia). Its landbank totals just under 45,000 ha." The new UMB development project remains unclear, while 55,000 ha of the concession area is covered by native forest. UMB is Cargill's palm oil supplier.

June 9, 2023
File B0034

The Chain: Sarawak State Government to Purchase TH Plantations’ Sarawak Concessions, but NDPE Supply Chain Not Guaranteed

Sarawak state government is likely a buyer of TH Plantations concession. "During 2012-15, TH Plantation’s landbank expanded, in line with its target of a 300,000 ha landbank by 2020. This expansion was linked to several cases of deforestation, including almost 2,500 ha of forest cleared in Pahang from 2016-18." TH Plantations is Cargill's supplier of palm oil.

June 9, 2023
File B0035

The Chain: FGV Banned from Selling Products to the United States Due to Ongoing Labor Issues, Increasing Reputation Risk

FGV is in Cargill's list of suppliers. US Government issued "a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on palm oil products produced by Malaysian Felda Global Ventures (FGV) over concerns of alleged forced labor issues."

June 9, 2023
File B0036

The Chain: Wildfires Rage on SLC Agricola farm

FGV is in Cargill's list of suppliers. US Government issued "a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on palm oil products produced by Malaysian Felda Global Ventures (FGV) over concerns of alleged forced labor issues."

June 9, 2023
File B0037

The Chain: Recent Cerrado Deforestation, Wildfires Linked to UK Chicken Consumption

An investigation by TBIJ. "The study highlights Fazenda Parceiro, the SLC Agricola farm in the state of Bahia that saw large wildfires earlier in the fall. Also on the farm, 6,555 hectares had been cleared between May 2019 and April 2020. Cargill, the largest trading partner of SLC Agricola, has confirmed sourcing from this farm." / "The investigative journalists were able to track a Cargill shipment of soy from the port of Cotegipe to a Cargill crushing plant in Liverpool. From there, the soy is processed into animal feed by Cargill’s joint venture Avara, a chicken supplier for brand name companies such as Tesco, McDonalds, Nando’s, Asda, and Lidl."

June 9, 2023
File B0038

The Chain: Continued Deforestation and Ownership Confusion in Fangiono Family-linked Groups

Report by Forest Peoples Programme. " around 100 ha of forest and peat have been cleared on three First Resources concessions this year [2020]. " / "FAP and CAA's subsidiaries have also recorded several social conflicts, and FAP has contributed to over 59,000 ha of forest loss since 2008." / "Between January and October 2020, CAA Group cleared approximately 3,200 ha of forest and peat on three of its concessions." First Resources shares ownership with FAP and CCA and is in Cargill's supplier list.

June 10, 2023
File B0039

The Chain: French Retailers Strengthen Supplier Contracts to Mitigate Deforestation Risk in the Cerrado

As a development from the Cerrado manifesto, "Carrefour, Casino, Auchan, Lidl, Leclerc, Metro, Mousquetaires (owner of Intermarché), and Système U signed the agreement to prohibit soy sourced from recently deforested regions of the Brazilian Cerrado." / "Large soy traders such as Cargill, Bunge, COFCO, and Louis Dreyfus [signatures] are notably missing [in the Cerrado Manifesto]."

June 10, 2023
File B0040

The Chain: Malaysia’s Sime Darby Plantation Banned From U.S. Markets Over Alleged Forced Labor Issues

Sime Darby is banned from any trading links to the US market over alleged forced labor issues. The company is in Cargill's supplier list.

June 10, 2023
File B0041

The Chain: Amaggi’s New Green Bond Prompts Questions on Deforestation Commitment

"Brazilian soy suppliers to the salmon industry, CJ Selecta, Caramuru, and Imcopa, announced commitments to a cut-off date of August 2020 to keep deforestation from entering their supply chains, putting pressure on the main traders in Brazil – Amaggi, LDC, ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Viterra, and COFCO."

June 10, 2023
File B0042

2020’s Top Deforesters for Oil Palm in Southeast Asia: A Lower Rate of Deforestation, but the Same Culprits

Jhonlin Group is among the top 10 deforesters in Indonesia in 2020 and still is in Cargill's supplier list.

June 10, 2023
File B0043

Key Cerrado Deforesters in 2020 Linked to the Clearing of More Than 110,000 Hectares

Jhonlin Group is among the top 10 deforesters in Indonesia in 2020 and still is in Cargill's supplier list."SLC Agrícola ’s main customers are Cargill Agrícola S.A. (27.6 percent of revenues) and Bunge Alimentos S.A. (17.9 percent), according to its 3Q 2020 financial statements. As previously reported by CRR, the clearing of Cerrado vegetation on SLC Agrícola ’s farms appears to be in line with Brazil’s Forest Code but in violation of the zero-deforestation commitments of its customers and a large portion of downstream soy-consuming industries."

June 10, 2023
File B0044

The Chain: Selangor State Agricultural Development Corporation Peat Clearing Risks Access to FMCG and Trader/Refiner Supply Chains

"The Indonesian plantation developer Djarum is the focus of a Forest Stewardship Council complaint over deforestation on its PT Fajar Surya Swadaya (FSS) and PT Silva Rimba Lestari (SRL) timber concessions. Over 32,000 ha of forests in East Kalimantan were cleared between 2013 and 2017. The complaint has not yet been resolved, and there are no known recovery projects compensating for the deforestation." Djarum is a Cargill's palm oil supplier.

June 10, 2023
File B0045

The Chain: New Report Calls on Buyers of Forest-Risk Commodities to Strengthen NDPE Policies

"[The CRR report] highlights 133,000 hectares (ha) of deforestation since 2016 committed by 10 companies in the industrial tree sectors of Indonesia and Malaysia." Djarum is one of the companies in the report and it is a Cargill's supplier of palm oil.

June 10, 2023
File B0046

The Chain: Active Fires Detected in SLC Agrícola’s Fazenda Perdizes Property in the Amazon

"In March 2021, SLC Agrícola stated that it will no longer convert new areas in all of its properties after the current year’s harvest season. SLC Agrícola’s prior commitment to halt Cerrado deforestation in September 2020 similarly led to continued clearing despite its zero-deforestation pledge." Cargill is one of the largest buyers of SLC Agrícola. "In July 2020, Cargill publicly stated that “deliberate setting of fires in the Amazon is unacceptable.”"

June 10, 2023
File B0047

Deforestation on Oil Palm Concessions Continued to Decline in First Half of 2021

"10 palm oil companies were responsible for approximately 5,000 hectares (ha) of forest clearing during the first six months of 2021 in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea." / "Around 270 ha of clearing was detected within [Sumber Tani Agung Resources] concessions of PT Tantahan Panduhup and PT Flora Nusa Perdana, both in Central Kalimantan." Cargill's supplier list includes Sumber Tani Agung Resources.

June 10, 2023
File B0048

The Chain: Embedded Soy in UK Consumer Brands ‘Contaminated’ by Cargill’s Forest Approach, Says Report

A report from TBIJ, Greenpeace Unearthed, ITV News, and the Daily Mirror. Cargill is buying soy from Group Scheffer, which "has been repeatedly linked to incidents of environmental damage on farms, including the clearing of swaths of Cerrado vegetation and the use of fire for land clearing." / " Top creditors in its soy financing are BNP Paribas, Itaú Unibanco, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and Deutsche Bank. Top investors in bonds are Prudential Financial (US), Metlife, AIG, Nationwide Mutual Insurance, and Wellington Management. Several of them adopted zero-deforestation policies and have ample reasons to engage with Cargill. Of identified and adjusted debt products, 27 percent came from financial institutions in the European Union (EU). EU institutions are increasingly exposed to sustainable finance regulations (like the SFDR), and they will also have to confront upcoming EU regulation on supply chain due diligence (2022)."

June 10, 2023
File B0049

The Chain: Astra International’s Mine Expansion Threatens Forest and Astra Agro Lestari’s NDPE Supply Chain Access

Deforestation linked to mining project (20 hectares) found in a subsidiary of Astra Agro Lestari, a palm oil supplier to Cargill.

June 10, 2023
File B0050

Palm Oil Production in Brazilian Amazon Threatens NDPE Commitments

Cargill is a relevant buyer from BBF. "Biopalma’s former owner, Brazilian mining company Vale, is linked to significant negative environmental and social impacts. Leading palm oil producer Biopalma was founded in 2007."

June 10, 2023
File B0051

The Chain: Deforestation Driven by Oil Palm Falls to a Four-Year Low

"In 2021, PT Permata Sawit Mandiri cleared around 450 ha of forest, a reduction from the 2,000 ha detected in 2020." Permata Sawit Mandiri is a palm oil supplier to Cargill.

June 10, 2023
File B0052

The Chain: Agropalma Faces Possible Legal, Reputational Risks from Health and Safety Violations, Conflict With Local Communities

"The Labor Court of Tucuruí (also located in Pará) ordered the company to pay just under 1 million reals (195,000 USD) for irregularities discovered during inspections by government officials in the Public Ministry of Labor PA/AP (MPT)." / "Agropalma is exporting 15 percent of its production, mainly to Europe". Cargill is one of Agropalma's buyers.

June 10, 2023
File B0053

The Chain: Brasil Agro to Convert Over 10,000 Hectares of Cerrado Forest

A new development project in Bonito de Minas might put at risk 10,000 hectares of Cerrado vegetation. "On top of this, European financiers may face reputation risk. In the company’s financial publication for the quarter ending December 2021, Rabobank, Cargill, and Santander were on a list of mainly Brazilian banks/affiliates/companies providing financial services to Brasil Agro."

June 10, 2023
File B0054

The Chain: Jhonlin Group’s Refining Company Goes Public to Raise Capital

"Around 11,900 ha were cleared within the group’s oil palm concessions between 2018 and 2020." Jhonlin Group is part of Cargill's supplier list.

June 10, 2023
File B0055

The Chain: Cargill and Bunge’s Links to Contested Farm in Brazil, Human Rights Violations Contradict Upcoming EU Regulations

"EarthSight and De Olho nos Ruralistas, two non-profit organizations in the UK and Brazil, recently found that Cargill and Bunge are sourcing soy from Brasília do Sul, a 9,785-hectare soy farm in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) that is currently being disputed."

June 10, 2023
File B0056

The Chain: Top Ten Deforesters Clear 8,100 Hectares on Oil Palm Concessions During 1H 2022, a Significant Increase Versus 2021

Cargill has trading links to one of the top 10 largest deforesters in Indonesia in 2022. "Sawit Rokan Semesta cleared 600 ha of forest during the first half of 2022"

June 10, 2023
File B0057

The Chain: Agropalma’s Owners Look to Sell While Company’s ESG Violations Rise

Several financial actors are assessing Agropalma since the owners signalized their interest in selling it. "Any parties interested in purchasing Agropalma will have to contend with allegations of ties to land grabbing, labor and human rights abuses, and deforestation at a time the company is seeking to increase its palm oil production 50 percent through 2025". Cargill is one of the buyers of Agropalma.

June 10, 2023
File B0058

Sodrugestvo: Soy Trader Linked to Brazilian Deforestation, Russian Finances

"A sample of 73 soybean supplying farms to Aliança Agrícola do Cerrado shows 830 ha of native vegetation clearing between 2018-2022 in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Aliança Agrícola do Cerrado supplies soybeans from the Amazon and Cerrado biomes to ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and Cofco"

June 10, 2023
File C0001

Cargill says goal for ending forest destruction in Brazil will be missed

Cargill Inc. is putting up $30 million to fund new ideas for ending deforestation in Brazil, where the conflict between economic growth and environmental protection remains a global flash point.

June 10, 2023
File C0002

Cargill’s Supply Chain linked to Deforestation in Papua

In a Report by Greenomics Indonesia, Cargill is found to be purchasing palm oil linked to deforestation in Papua New Guinea

June 10, 2023
File C0003

Palm oil firms ditch ‘no deforestation’ pact in Indonesia

Cargill ‘ditched’ a no-deforestation private agreement in Indonesia, saying the government’s recent efforts to strengthen its certification standards were sufficient.

June 10, 2023
File C0004

The Ultimate Mystery Meat

In report by Mighty Earth, Cargill found to be one of the two largest customers of industrial-scale deforestation in Bolivia.⁠

June 10, 2023
File C0005

Still At It

Months after the deforestation was exposed, investigators re-visited the sites and found Cargill still driving deforestation, Between Cargill and Bunge, they had cleared the equivalent of 10,000 football fields for soy.⁠

June 10, 2023
File C0007

Chocolate’s Dark Secret

In report by Mighty Earth, Cargill is found to help drive the destruction of Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire’s forests— buying cocoa grown through the illegal clearing of protected forests and national parks as a standard practice. In Côte d’Ivoire, where Cargill is the largest trader, an estimated 30% of the cocoa came from inside national parks and other protected areas.⁠

June 10, 2023
File C0007

Behind the Wrapper

Cargill joins other chocolate and cocoa companies and the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in the Cocoa and Forests Initiative, committing themselves to immediately end sourcing from national parks and protected areas, to restore forests, and to shift to more responsible practices.  But a report by Mighty Earth shows that a year later, deforestation had increased.

June 10, 2023
File C0008

Brazil fines five grain trading firms, farmers connected to deforestation

Along with four other traders, Cargill is fined 29 million dollars by Brazilian government for purchasing soy connected to the illegal deforestation in the Cerrado

June 10, 2023
File C0009

The Avoidable Crisis

In a report by Mighty Earth, Cargill is linked to the destruction of the Gran Çhaco in Argentina and Paraguay.

June 10, 2023
File C0010

Under FIRE; How demand for meat and dairy is driving violence against communities in Brazil

In a report by Greenpeace International, Cargill is found to be exporting soy from an agricultural estate in Brazil with a long record of violence, illegality, and environmental destruction. Cargill supplier Estrondo had recently renewed a permit to deforest nearly 60,000 acres of land in the rapidly-disappearing Cerrado. Members of traditional geraizeira communities have reported being detained, abducted, shot, and having access to communal lands restricted by Estrondo’s private security force.

June 10, 2023
File C0011

The Companies Behind the Burning of the Amazon

Following a season of record fires in the Amazon—nearly all due to intentional land clearings for industrial agriculture—a report by Mighty Earth finds that the majority of fires are found to have been set along BR-163, which leads to Cargill’s port at Santarem.

June 10, 2023
File C0012

Brazil soy trade linked to widespread deforestation, carbon emissions

According to the Stockholm Environment Institute and Trase, Cargill along with ADM and Bunge found to be exporting 13 million tons of soy from the Cerrado,– the production of which was associated with the clearance of  648 square miles of Cerrado vegetation. 

June 10, 2023
File C0013

UK supermarket and fast-food chicken linked to deforestation in Brazil

According to a collaborative investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Greenpeace Unearthed, ITV News, and the Guardian, 66,000 tons of soy beans tracked from Cerrado’s Matopiba region, including some from Formosa do Rio Preto, the Cerrado’s most heavily deforested community were loaded aboard a Cargill-leased bulk tanker to Cargill’s Seaforth soya crush plant in Liverpool.  At least nine of Cargill suppliers in the Cerrado were found to have been involved in recent land clearance.  Of the land owned or used by these companies since 2015, researchers found 309 square miles of deforestation and 12,397 recorded fires.

June 10, 2023
File C0014

Promises, Promises

Mighty Earth report finds Cargill to be buying soy from suppliers that have cleared and deforested at least 65,000 acres across 10 farms in the Brazilian Cerrado since August 2020. 

June 10, 2023
File C0015

Loophole lets soya farmers tear down the Amazon

The Bureau of Investigative Journalists finds Cargill found to be sourcing soy from Chinese-owned Fiagril and the multinational Aliança Agrícola do Cerrado, both of which have allegedly been supplied by a farmer fined and sanctioned multiple times after destroying swathes of rainforest.

June 10, 2023
File C0016

Bunge and Cargill linked to soya supply chains with deforestation risk Agriculture traders named as France tries to cut greenhouse gas threat to environment

France names Cargill as one of two leading importers of soyabeans from areas at risk of deforestation.

June 10, 2023
File C0017

Cargill, Nestlé resumed palm oil sourcing in Guatemala despite legacy of violence and intimidation, advocates find

According to a report By Rainforest Action Network, Cargill resumed business with Guatemalan palm oil supplier REPSA (Reforestadora de Palma S.A.), whose links to corruption, bribery, violence, and intimidation forced them to suspend business ties in 2018. United Nations bodies cautioned the Guatemalan government that actions by REPSA and several other firms, “could be constitutive of indicators of human trafficking and forced labor and other severe forms of labor exploitation.”

June 10, 2023
File C0018

Feed supplier to UK farm animals still linked to Amazon deforestation

An investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Greenpeace Unearthed, Repórter Brasil and Ecostorm uncovered Cargill’s links with the Brazilian supplier farm, Fazenda Conquista. The farm in the Brazilian Amazon was responsible for eight sq km of deforestation since 2013, with multiple forest fires recorded in 2020. Its trading with Cargill includes supplying soya, and the farm has signed a deal to deliver 5,700 tons of corn to the company this year.

June 10, 2023
File C0019

Revealed: US agribusiness giants’ soy linked to stolen indigenous land and murder in Brazil

A report by Earthsight finds Cargill sourcing from 24,000-acre soy farm in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul that operates on the ancestral land of the Guarani Kaiowá, an Indigenous group that has spent the last several decades fighting violence and forced eviction.

June 10, 2023
File C0020

Agribusiness giant again linked to Amazon deforestation

A study by Unearthed and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism finds Cargill to be sourcing soya from cleared Amazon land in Mato Grosso state, Brazil, Fazenda Conquista.  The farm has been linked to an estimated 3 sq miles of destruction in the amazon since 2013, with multiple fires recorded in 2020. Conquista’s trading with Cargill has included supplying soya and the farm has signed a deal to deliver 5,700 tons of corn to the company this year.

June 10, 2023
File C0021

Tougher action needed to stop soy deforestation in Brazil

Global Canopy, the Stockholm Environment IUnstitiute, and Trase find Cargill linked to regions in Brazil with the most deforestation and conversion. 

June 10, 2023
File C0022

UK meat industry and supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons ‘causing illegal deforestation in the Amazon’

In 2023 investigation by Mighty Earth, Reporter Brazil and Ecostorm combining satellite data with observations on the ground showing evidence of a direct link between illegal deforestation in the Amazon and supplies of soya beans shipped from Brazil to the UK by US commodities giant Cargill. The report identifies the Santa Ana farm in Brazil's Mato Grosso state on which thousand acres of forest were burned in 2022.

June 10, 2023

Join us in calling on the Cargill-MacMillan family to end human rights abuses and the destruction of nature throughout Cargill’s supply chain.

We are not asking Cargill to make any more commitments. We are asking Cargill’s owners to ensure that the company fulfills the commitments it has already made.

Learn More