MBRF achieves 100% traceability of its cattle supply chain
Company fulfills commitment announced at COP26, becoming the first in the sector to enable production free from deforestation, slave-like labor, and child labor
MBRF, one of the world’s largest food companies, announces the fulfillment of its public commitment to achieve 100% territorial traceability of its cattle supply chain, including both direct and indirect suppliers, across all Brazilian biomes where livestock is sourced. With this milestone, MBRF becomes a global pioneer in the animal protein sector by implementing a complete, continuous, and verifiable socio-environmental monitoring system covering its entire supply chain.
A pioneer in adopting structured processes and satellite-based tracking and geomonitoring technologies in the animal protein sector, the company has monitored its direct suppliers since 2010. With the expansion to full monitoring of indirect suppliers, MBRF now achieves complete traceability of the supply chain, ensuring that raw materials used in its production do not originate from areas associated with deforestation, slave-like or child labor, embargoed areas, conservation units, or Indigenous and Quilombola lands, reinforcing its responsible production model aligned with socio-environmental requirements.
“We are the only company in the sector to publicly assume this commitment, with clear targets and defined deadlines, which allows us to meet the expectations of highly demanding markets and strengthen the confidence of clients and investors. This important advancement proves that it is possible to produce food sustainably, balancing production efficiency, environmental conservation, emissions reduction, and social responsibility,” says Paulo Pianez, Director of Sustainability and Institutional Relations at MBRF.
The traceability commitment was originally announced during COP26 in Glasgow (Scotland), with differentiated deadlines by biome: the Amazon by 2025 and the Cerrado by 2030. During COP28 in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), MBRF voluntarily brought forward the target to 2025. The work began with extensive territorial mapping, which identified and classified areas according to socio-environmental risk levels, guiding the implementation of monitoring actions and producer engagement strategies throughout the supply chain.
Verde+
The advancement in cattle supply chain traceability is part of MBRF’s broader sustainability efforts, structured under the Verde+ Program, based on the principles of production, conservation, and inclusion. The initiative relies on three pillars: the adoption of monitoring and traceability technologies, the provision of technical assistance to producers, and the development of financial mechanisms that encourage sustainable farming practices.
The company operates a satellite-based geomonitoring system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Currently, MBRF monitors approximately 25 million hectares, an area equivalent to the territory of the state of São Paulo or the United Kingdom.
Mandatory socio-environmental criteria for supplier approval and maintenance include verification of environmental embargoes (Ibama, ICMBio, and state environmental agencies), overlap with legally protected areas, deforested areas, lists from the Ministry of Labor and Employment related to slave-like labor, as well as overlap with Indigenous and Quilombola territories. In addition to traditional compliance criteria, MBRF also incorporates biodiversity-related aspects, including indicators aimed at understanding and preventing adverse impacts, such as water stress. Suppliers associated with any non-compliance are automatically blocked from new cattle purchases in the company’s system until proper clarification and regularization.
Grains
In addition to the cattle supply chain, MBRF fully monitors its grain supply chain. The goal of ensuring 100% traceability of direct and indirect suppliers across all Brazilian biomes was announced at COP26 in Glasgow and achieved ahead of schedule: direct suppliers were fully monitored in 2023, and the target for indirect suppliers was met in December 2024.
Sustainability strategy
Through its sustainability platform, MBRF works to balance productivity with the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. The company adopts practices that protect the biomes where it operates, promote animal welfare, and respect human rights throughout the entire value chain.
Initiatives include the efficient use of water and energy, improved food utilization, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and responsible supply chain management, with a focus on origin control, combating deforestation, and promoting social inclusion. This approach reinforces MBRF’s commitment to sustainable, transparent food production aligned with the expectations of society, markets, and investors.