Raw material policies
We manage supply chain sustainability risks through supplier management processes. However, they don’t always extend deep enough into the supply chain. Therefore, we have identified the raw materials requiring special attention, as their production involves a particularly high number of globally known sustainability risks. We pay special attention to these raw materials in line with our policies.
Raw material policy: COCOA
Cocoa’s characteristics and challenges
Cocoa is a unique plant raw material that brings delicious chocolate and cocoa flavour to products. Cocoa is harvested from the seeds of the cocoa tree and is a raw material used to make chocolate, among other things.
Cocoa grows and is farmed around the world in tropical areas near the equator, but the majority of cocoa is produced on small, family plantations in West Africa. The production of cocoa is related to a number of social responsibility challenges, such as poverty, child labour, and land ownership issues. Cocoa production may also have negative environmental impacts, depending on how it is cultivated.
Valio’s policy on the use of cocoa
In line with Valio’s policy, we use only certified cocoa* in our products.
*The policy applies only to raw materials that contain cocoa. Note: A product may contain excipients or additives with small amounts of cocoa derivatives that are not disclosed in the raw material data.
Cocoa use at Valio
| Situation as of 3/2021 | Target/progress (updated 13.5.2026) |
|---|---|
| Cocoa is used in several of Valio’s consumer and B2B products, as well as in Valio’s contract manufactured products. The main raw material contained in these products is typically milk, so the amount of cocoa used per product is small. | Convert the cocoa raw materials** used to certified ones and acquire supply chain certifications for Valio’s manufacturing plants. Progress: The purchases of certified cocoa have been continued. |
| Valio’s production plants in Finland use several cocoa raw materials to produce cocoa-flavoured drinks, smoothies, puddings, and ice creams. The cocoa raw materials are highly processed for the specific needs of the products, so their supply chain is long. | The Rainforest Alliance certificate granted to Valio allows us to manufacture Rainforest Alliance-certified products from certified cocoa raw materials at our plants in Jyväskylä, Suonenjoki, Turenki and Seinäjoki. |
| Valio’s production plant in Estonia use cocoa raw material to flavour quark, pudding, spreads, and processed cheese. All the raw material in use is sourced from approved suppliers, but the raw material is not certified. | The share of certified consumer products manufactured in Finland that contain cocoa and chocolate is 84%. |
**For each raw material, a corresponding, existing certified raw material must be found. Converting the raw material requires a product-specific raw material conversion project in which the suitability of the new raw material for the product is verified, and the raw material conversion is implemented in a controlled manner.
The chart is updated once a year.
Raw material policy: COFFEE
Coffee’s characteristics and challenges
Coffee beans come from the berries that grow on coffee plants; the beans are separated and further processed into various coffee raw materials. Coffee is cultivated in tropical zones around the world. Coffee farming is a significant sector and employs a lot of people globally.
However, there are a number of sustainability challenges linked to coffee production, including poverty and child labour. Moreover, coffee farming may have negative environmental impacts depending on the farming practices, and climate change has a major impact on coffee farming.
Valio’s coffee policy
In line with Valio’s policy, we use only certified coffee* in our products.
*The policy applies only to raw materials that contain coffee. Note: A product may contain excipients or additives with small amounts of coffee derivatives that are not disclosed in the raw material data.
Coffee use at Valio
| Situation as of 4/2022 | Target/progress (updated 13.5.2026) |
|---|---|
| Coffee is used in a few of Valio’s consumer products. The main raw material contained in these products is typically milk, so the amount of coffee used per product is small. The coffee raw materials are highly processed for the specific needs of the products, so their supply chain is long. | Convert the coffee raw materials** used to certified ones and acquire supply chain certifications for Valio’s manufacturing plants. Progress: The purchases of certified coffee have been continued. |
| All the raw material in use is sourced from approved suppliers, but the raw material is not certified. | The Rainforest Alliance certificate granted to Valio allows us to manufacture Rainforest Alliance-certified products from certified coffee raw materials at our plants in Jyväskylä, Suonenjoki, Turenki and Seinäjoki. The share of certified consumer products manufactured in Finland that contain coffee is 95%. |
**For each raw material, a corresponding, existing certified raw material must be found. Converting the raw material requires a product-specific raw material conversion project in which the suitability of the new raw material for the product is verified, and the raw material conversion is implemented in a controlled manner.
The chart is updated once a year.
Raw material policy: SOY
Soy’s characteristics and challenges
Soy is a legume. Soy cultivation is successful in a variety of environments, but today the majority of soy is produced in South America and the United States. The production of soy is linked to several sustainability challenges, such as deforestation, which causes climate warming and loss of biodiversity. The use of soy in animal feed further increases its environmental load.
Soy is a high-quality plant protein with good fat content, and it contains essential amino acids. For this reason, it is used in many ways as a raw material in the food industry.
Soy is also an allergen, which is why it must be handled with particular care in food production.
Valio’s policy on the use of soy
In line with Valio’s policy, soy* is not used in Valio’s milk-based consumer products, but it can be used in plant-based products (Oddlygood®). When used, the origin of soy should be Europe or North America and it should be non-GMO**. The use of soy is possible also in B2B products and in products for industrial kitchens – if its use is necessary from the point of view of the product’s characteristics or it is a customer requirement. In these situations, the soy must be certified and the certification must be verifiable or its sustainability must be verified some other way (e.g. origin). Valio’s dairy farms in Finland do not use soy in feed.
*The policy applies only to raw materials that contain soy. The policy is not applicable to soy derivatives, such as soy lecithin.
**Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, no GMO labelling is required.
Use of soy at Valio
| Situation as of 11/2022 | Target/progress (updated 13.5.2026) |
|---|---|
| Soy is not used in Valio’s consumer products (excluding Oddlygood®). | Soy is not used in Valio’s consumer products (excluding Oddlygood®). |
| Soy is not used in Valio’s industrial products. | Soy is not used in Valio’s industrial products. |
| Origin of soy used in Oddlygood® products is Europe or North America and it is non-GMO quality. | Origin of soy used in Oddlygood® products is Europe or North America and it is non-GMO quality. |
| Valio’s dairy farms in Finland do not use soy in feed. | The use of soy in feed was forbidden in Valio’s dairy farms in Finland as of 1.3.2018. |
The chart is updated once a year.
Raw material policy: PALM OIL
Palm oil’s characteristics and challenges
Palm oil is a vegetable oil harvested from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Oil palm is a productive oil plant that is cultivated in tropical areas near the equator. It is an important source of income for many of the people living in the production region. However, there are several sustainability problems related to the cultivation of palm oil. Palm oil plantations are expanded by clearing rain forests, and deforestation destroys important carbon sinks, reduces biodiversity, and destroys habitats of endangered species. There are also multiple safety risks related to the collection and processing of palm oil.
Palm oil contains several good product characteristics. Its composition is very well suited for baked goods, e.g., and in powder for liquid feed its fat content has been determined to be suitable for calves. Therefore, replacing palm oil in some products is challenging, so its sustainable production method must be verified.
Valio’s palm oil policy
In line with Valio’s policy, palm oil* is not used in Valio’s consumer products, but its use is possible in B2B products and in feed – if its use is necessary from the point of view of the product’s characteristics or it is a customer requirement. In these situations, the palm oil must be certified and the certification must be verifiable.
*The policy applies only to raw materials that contain palm oil. Note: A product may contain excipients or additives with small amounts of palm oil derivatives that are not disclosed in the raw material data.
| Situation as of 3/2021 | Target/progress (updated 8.4.2026) |
|---|---|
| Palm oil is not used in Valio’s consumer products. | Palm oil is not used in Valio’s consumer products. |
| Certified palm oil is used in one of Valio’s B2B products. The production plant has no supply chain certification. | Palm oil is no longer used in Valio’s production plants. Palm oil is not used in industrial products manufactured by Valio. |
| Certified palm oil is used in Valio’s contracted manufacturing of Startti liquid feed powder, but the plant manufacturing the powder does not have supply chain certification. | Alternative raw materials are still being explored. |
The chart is updated once a year.