BKP and USSEC Partner for Sustainable Soy Sourcing
US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has deepened its partnership with Bangkok Produce Merchandising PCL, a feed supplier owned by CP Foods, to strengthen sustainable soy sourcing across Thailand's livestock and aquaculture sectors. The updated arrangement builds on an agreement first signed in 2023. It now includes technical training, feeding trials, and shared sustainability metrics for soybean meal and soy products used in animal feed.
For UK businesses sourcing agricultural commodities or supplying into Asian markets, the agreement highlights how sustainability verification is becoming embedded in procurement decisions. Traceability and deforestation commitments are no longer voluntary add-ons. They are increasingly expected by buyers, regulators, and investors across global supply chains.
This development matters because it reflects a wider shift. Major feed buyers in Southeast Asia are moving sustainability criteria from policy documents into operational contracts. That shift affects UK exporters, food manufacturers, and retailers who depend on these supply chains or compete in the same markets.
How the partnership started and what it covers
USSEC and Bangkok Produce Merchandising first formalised their relationship in September 2023. The initial agreement committed both parties to advancing sustainable sourcing practices for food and animal feed ingredients in Thailand and internationally. USSEC agreed to share technical knowledge on sustainable soybean production, supply chain management, and zero deforestation practices.
Central to the partnership is the US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol, known as SSAP. This framework verifies the sustainability of US soy products used in food and feed. It remains a core element of the arrangement and underpins the traceability claims both organisations are making.
Bangkok Produce Merchandising is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, one of Thailand's largest agrifood businesses. Consequently, the agreement affects procurement decisions across a significant portion of Thailand's feed market. The scope includes soybeans, soybean meal, and other soy products used in animal nutrition.
According to USSEC's original announcement, the partnership would drive environmental responsibility and establish a sustainable and dependable supply chain for these ingredients. The organisation also committed to sharing best practices in ecosystem conservation and deforestation prevention.
What changed when the agreement was renewed in 2026
The partnership was renewed in September 2026 with expanded commitments. The updated arrangement now includes collaboration on sustainability metrics, technical training, supply chain reliability, and low carbon production. These are operational commitments, not aspirational statements.
One notable addition is the involvement of the Soy Excellence Center Asia in workforce development. This facility will support capability building and knowledge transfer for feed industry professionals. Meanwhile, the agreement now incorporates feeding trials designed to assess feed performance under real world conditions, rather than relying solely on laboratory data.
The updated partnership also strengthens responsible sourcing across Bangkok Produce Merchandising's global operations, not just within Thailand. This reflects the scale of CP Foods' supply chain and the geographic reach of its procurement decisions. The renewed agreement therefore has implications for soy suppliers and feed buyers operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Moreover, the focus on sustainability metrics suggests that performance will be measured and reported, rather than assumed. This creates a framework for accountability that other buyers may adopt or adapt for their own sourcing criteria.
Why UK businesses should pay attention to feed sustainability in Asia
Thailand's feed sector is substantial. Changes in procurement standards there ripple through global commodity markets, particularly for soybeans and soybean meal. UK businesses importing feed ingredients, exporting livestock products, or selling into Asian food markets need to understand these dynamics.
First, sustainability verification is becoming a standard commercial requirement. Buyers increasingly expect suppliers to demonstrate traceability and compliance with deforestation commitments. This is not limited to direct sales into Thailand. UK businesses exporting to the EU, for example, already face due diligence obligations under the EU Deforestation Regulation. Similar expectations are emerging in other markets, driven by investor pressure and consumer demand.
Second, the partnership signals that sustainability criteria are moving upstream. Feed manufacturers are not waiting for finished goods producers to demand better practices. They are embedding these requirements in their own procurement decisions. For UK companies supplying agricultural commodities or animal nutrition products, this means sustainability credentials may soon determine market access.
Third, the emphasis on technical training and feeding trials suggests that buyers are scrutinising both environmental and performance claims. It is no longer sufficient to assert that a product is sustainable. Buyers want data, verification, and evidence of real world performance. UK exporters need to be ready to provide this.
Fourth, the agreement highlights the role of industry protocols such as SSAP. UK businesses should familiarise themselves with these frameworks, particularly if they operate in sectors where US competitors have adopted them. Understanding these standards helps UK suppliers position their own sustainability credentials and identify gaps in their own assurance processes.
Finally, the involvement of CP Foods matters. As one of Thailand's largest agrifood companies, its procurement decisions influence supply chain practices across Southeast Asia. UK businesses selling into or sourcing from this region should monitor how these standards evolve and whether similar commitments emerge elsewhere.
Key details to understand about the expanded partnership
- USSEC and Bangkok Produce Merchandising first signed their agreement on 13 September 2023 in Bangkok and New York.
- The partnership was renewed and expanded on 11 September 2026 with additional commitments on training, metrics, and trials.
- Bangkok Produce Merchandising is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, a major Thai agrifood business.
- The agreement covers soybeans, soybean meal, and soy products used in animal feed for livestock and aquaculture.
- The US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol provides the verification framework for sustainability claims under the partnership.
- The renewed agreement includes workforce development through the Soy Excellence Center Asia and feeding trials to assess performance.
- Collaboration now extends to sustainability metrics, technical training, supply chain reliability, and low carbon production practices.
What this means for supply chain strategy and compliance
The USSEC and Bangkok Produce Merchandising partnership is not an isolated development. It reflects a broader trend across agricultural supply chains where sustainability is becoming a commercial prerequisite, not a voluntary initiative. For UK SMEs, this has several practical implications.
Businesses exporting agricultural commodities need to assess whether their products meet emerging sustainability standards. This includes demonstrating traceability, providing evidence of deforestation free sourcing, and potentially adopting third party verification frameworks. Without these credentials, market access may become more difficult.
UK companies sourcing feed ingredients or agricultural inputs should consider how their suppliers verify sustainability claims. Relying on assurances without supporting data may expose businesses to reputational risk or compliance issues, particularly as due diligence regulations tighten. Asking suppliers for documentation aligned with recognised protocols can reduce this risk.
Food manufacturers and retailers should also consider how sustainability requirements in feed supply chains affect their own products. Consumer expectations around animal welfare and environmental impact increasingly extend to feed ingredients. Businesses that can demonstrate responsible sourcing across their supply chains may gain a competitive advantage.
Furthermore, UK businesses competing internationally should monitor how competitors adopt sustainability frameworks. If US soy suppliers gain market access or customer preference through SSAP verification, UK exporters in related sectors may need comparable credentials to remain competitive. This could involve adopting existing standards or developing equivalent assurance mechanisms.
Training and capability building are also important. The partnership's focus on workforce development through the Soy Excellence Center Asia suggests that technical knowledge is becoming as important as policy commitments. UK businesses may need to invest in staff training to understand sustainability metrics, traceability systems, and verification protocols.
For businesses tendering for public sector contracts or supplying large corporate buyers, sustainability requirements are likely to intensify. Procurement policies increasingly include environmental criteria, particularly for food and agricultural products. Having robust sustainability data and third party verification can strengthen tender submissions and demonstrate compliance with buyer expectations.
Similarly, businesses seeking finance or investment should be aware that lenders and investors are scrutinising environmental risk. Supply chain sustainability affects both reputational risk and regulatory exposure. Demonstrating responsible sourcing practices can improve access to finance and potentially reduce borrowing costs.
Ultimately, the USSEC and Bangkok Produce Merchandising partnership illustrates how sustainability is being operationalised across global supply chains. UK businesses that treat this as a compliance exercise rather than a strategic opportunity may find themselves at a disadvantage. Those that embed sustainability into procurement, product development, and supplier relationships are better positioned for changing market expectations.
Where to find authoritative information on sustainable sourcing
UK businesses looking for guidance on sustainable agricultural sourcing can consult several authoritative sources. The UK government provides resources on due diligence for forest risk commodities, which includes practical advice on traceability and deforestation free sourcing.
For businesses exporting to the EU or sourcing from EU suppliers, the European Commission's guidance on the EU Deforestation Regulation explains compliance requirements for soy, cattle, timber, and other commodities. This regulation affects UK exporters selling into EU markets.
The US Soybean Export Council publishes information about the US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol on its website. This provides insight into how sustainability verification frameworks operate and what evidence they require.
Additionally, businesses can explore our sustainable procurement support for practical guidance on embedding sustainability into supply chain decisions. We also offer compliance services to help UK SMEs navigate environmental regulations and build robust due diligence processes.