First RSPO identity preserved certified sustainable palm oil delivered to China

Received in Shanghai port on 22 November, the 750-tonne shipment was spearheaded by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group – Asia’s leading dairy brand – in partnership with Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co Ltd (Yihai Kerry), the largest palm oil trader in China under the RSPO group membership of Wilmar.

Palm oil was a crucial ingredient in Yili’s ice cream production, with the company consuming 35,000 tonnes of the product in 2023, of which 360 tonnes (1.03%) were RSPO-certified under the Mass Balance (MB) model, the RSPO said.

The latest development marked Yili’s drive to expand its use of RSPO-IP certified palm oil and underlined the group’s commitment to a deforestation-free supply chain by 2030, the RSPO added. The delivery was particularly notable as it followed the August 2024 certification of Shanghai Kerry Food Industries (under Wilmar), making it the first site in China to obtain RSPO-IP certification.

The IP model ensures certified palm oil is kept separate from conventional supplies throughout the supply chain, guaranteeing its traceability and sustainability.

“We are very proud of this milestone achievement, not just for Yili Group, but also for the Chinese market as it represents a major step in realising China’s commitment to sustainability,” a Yili Group spokesperson said.

Yili’s 2023 Sustainability Report outlined its goal to increase RSPO-IP Certified palm oil by 50 tonnes/year, with a target of purchasing 650 tonnes by 2030. Yili has also committed to eliminating deforestation in its palm oil, soyabean, and pulp and paper supply chains by 2030.

Global sustainability organisation RSPO currently has over 440 members in China – the world’s second-largest palm oil importer.

Tags: RSPO, certification, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, China, palm oil