COFCO International reported significant reductions in supply chain emissions from its corn and soy businesses and expanded sustainability-linked financing beyond US$1 billion, according to its 2025 Sustainability Report released last week.
The global agricultural trader and supply chain operator said it reduced Scope 3 Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions intensity by 23 percent for corn and 11 percent for soy compared with its 2021 baseline, advancing its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) 1.5°C-aligned climate commitments.
The company also secured new sustainability-linked loan agreements with Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), increasing total financing tied to SBTi-aligned emissions reduction targets to more than US$1 billion.
For grain and oilseed supply chains, COFCO International reported a 46 percent increase in certified sustainable soy and corn sourced in South America during 2025, driven by the expansion of its Responsible Agriculture Standard programs in Brazil and Argentina.
The company said the growth in certified sourcing reflects increasing market demand for sustainably produced agricultural commodities while supporting farmers’ access to international markets.
COFCO International achieved more than 99 percent deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing for soy in Brazil and Argentina and for corn in Brazil. The company attributed progress to expanded traceability systems, responsible sourcing programs, farmer engagement initiatives, and investments in sourcing infrastructure.
“Agriculture represents the majority of our emissions footprint, making supply chain action critical to achieving our climate goals,” the company said in its report.
In addition to value-chain emissions reductions, COFCO International reported a 41% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 industrial emissions compared with its 2021 baseline. The company said 86% of its global energy consumption now comes from renewable sources and that it achieved its target of reducing water-use intensity by 10% compared with 2019 levels.
The company also strengthened its sustainability-linked financing portfolio through a new US$435 million social sustainability-linked loan from Standard Chartered, which it described as the first transaction of its kind for the agricultural sector in South America.
Beyond environmental targets, COFCO International said it supported more than 2,700 farmers through agricultural programs and reached more than 56,000 people through community investment initiatives during the year.
The 2025 Sustainability Report aligns with international reporting frameworks including the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The company also incorporated elements of China’s newly issued Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Standard No. 1 on Climate following a gap assessment.
COFCO International said it will continue expanding sustainable sourcing and emissions-reduction programs as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen agricultural supply chain resilience and support global food security.
