June 19, 2025 | 03:14 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Thursday- 14:20, 31/10/2024

Brazil farmers, government slam Danone for cutting out Brazilian soy

(VAN) Brazil's agriculture ministry in a separate statement listed the country's environmental efforts and called the EU legislation 'arbitrary, unilateral and punitive', while also criticizing companies.

Brazilian soybean producers on Tuesday said there is good reason for products of Danone to be boycotted after the French dairy giant said it would stop sourcing soy from Brazil, while the Brazilian government criticized "unreasonable" moves by European companies.

Danone's finance chief told Reuters last week that the company was instead buying soybeans from countries in Asia, ahead of a European Union rule requiring companies to prove they are not sourcing from deforested land.

Aprosoja Brasil, a group representing farmers in the world's largest soybean producer and exporter, said in a statement that Danone's move showed "lack of knowledge" of Brazil's production process and was "discrimination against the country."

"There is no doubt that Brazilian producers, tired of being unfairly singled out as villains, will start to have more than enough reasons to put Danone and other global brands on the list of companies to be boycotted in Brazil," the group said.

Brazil's agriculture ministry in a separate statement listed the country's environmental efforts and called the EU legislation "arbitrary, unilateral and punitive," while also criticizing companies.

"Brazil is ready to cooperate, but demands to be treated with the fairness and balance that guide international trade," the statement said. "Untimely and unreasonable stances as announced by European companies with a strong presence in the Brazilian market must be rejected."

Danone's Brazilian unit said in a statement that it continues to buy Brazilian soybeans that meet local and international regulations. The firm's headquarters did not immediately return a request for comment.

The EU Deforestation Regulation, covering imports of commodities like cocoa, coffee and soy, is scheduled to come into effect on Dec. 30, though the EU Commission this month proposed a 12-month delay.

Companies such as Nestle and Unilever have been gearing up to meet the new regulation before they face potential fines of up to 20% of turnover.

Brazilian law states that farmers must preserve between 20% and 80% of legal reserves, depending on the biome where they are planting. But rainforest destruction rates in the country remain high despite a drop under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

While major traders have vowed to stop sourcing soybeans from newly cleared land in the Amazon rainforest, soy farming continues to be a major driver of deforestation in the nearby Cerrado savanna.

Aprosoja said that "although there is deforestation, there is also a lot of natural regeneration."

The group suggested that Brazil's government could file complaints before the World Trade Organization and look for "compensation measures" from the EU as Brazilian farmers are now facing losses due to the European legislation.

H.D

(Reuters)

Vietnam taps into growing Australian demand for shrimp

Vietnam taps into growing Australian demand for shrimp

(VAN) Amid tariff risks and growing trade barriers in the U.S. market, Australia is emerging as a promising destination to sustain the growth momentum of Vietnam's shrimp exports.

Global lychee market to reach USD 8.79 billion by 2028: Where does Vietnam stand?

Global lychee market to reach USD 8.79 billion by 2028: Where does Vietnam stand?

(VAN) This notable growth trend reflects the global taste for fresh, nutritious fruits and the expanding use of lychees across various sectors.

Against the grain: as prices and temperatures rise, can Japan learn to love imported rice?

Against the grain: as prices and temperatures rise, can Japan learn to love imported rice?

(VAN) The political and cultural insulation of Japan’s beloved grain is falling apart, and experts warn the country’s relationship with the staple will have to adapt.

Global output of key food commodity crops on course for new records

Global output of key food commodity crops on course for new records

(VAN) Noting risks, report examines impacts of avian influenza, changing trade patterns since 2022, fish fraud, and shipping industry’s net-zero goals.

Vietnam-IWPA: Cooperation in developing transparent and sustainable wood supply chain

Vietnam-IWPA: Cooperation in developing transparent and sustainable wood supply chain

(VAN) Mr. Tran Quang Bao, General Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department, met and worked with the International Wood Products Association to promote cooperation in the field of timber trade.

China's rare earth exports jump 23% in May despite export curbs

China's rare earth exports jump 23% in May despite export curbs

(VAN) China's outbound shipments of rare earths in May jumped 23% on the month to their highest in a year, though Beijing's export curbs on some of the critical minerals halted some overseas sales.

Sustaining long-term investment momentum for Vietnamese agricultural products

Sustaining long-term investment momentum for Vietnamese agricultural products

(VAN) To sustain capital flow, administrative reform alone is not enough; what farmers truly need is an ecosystem where both government and businesses grow together in support.

Read more