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 responsibility 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 responsible 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, in 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: it is possible that agents or additives containing small amounts of palm oil derivatives that are not disclosed in the raw material data may be used.

Palm oil use at Valio

Situation as of 03/2021 Target/progress (updated 11.4.2023)
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. No palm oil in industrial products.
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. Further explore alternative raw materials.

Agree on supply chain certification with the plant.

The chart is updated once a year.

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