Innovative soy chain set to cut broiler feed emissions by more than a third 

NETHERLANDS – A pioneering soybean supply chain developed for Dutch retailer Albert Heijn is expected to cut the climate impact of broiler feed by as much as 38%, marking one of the most ambitious sustainability shifts in Europe’s poultry sector to date.

Plukon Food Group created the chain at Albert Heijn’s request, working with De Heus, ADM, Bunge, and sustainability experts at Merieux NutriScience | Blonk to fully replace conventional soybean meal in broiler diets. 

The initiative targets one of the biggest contributors to poultry emissions: feed production, which accounts for about 78% of a broiler’s total greenhouse gas footprint due to fertilizer use, field operations, transport, and land-use change.

Albert Heijn said the new system provides visibility into the exact farms producing the soy, enabling the retailer to identify lower-emission suppliers and monitor risks such as deforestation or land conversion. Previously, the retailer only had access to the country of origin.

Nienke Tjerkstra, who leads sustainability, quality, and health at Albert Heijn, said, “Whereas we previously only knew the country of origin, we now know which farmers supply soy with a lower climate impact. This is important because transparency in the supply chain is the foundation for true sustainability.”

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL), which advised the project, called the initiative a significant advancement for responsible soy sourcing. 

Seline Meijer, food and agriculture advisor at WWF-NL, noted, “With this approach, Albert Heijn is taking an important step towards shifting the supply chain, from soy farmer to supermarket, towards a reduced environmental impact.”

EY and Kool Planet independently verified all calculations related to the new soy’s carbon footprint.

Supporting climate targets across the chain

Plukon said the project directly supports Albert Heijn’s goal of reducing supply chain emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2018. The retailer plans to extend the model to egg and pork supply chains next.

The initiative comes at a time when researchers highlight multiple feed-related pathways for emissions reductions. 

Lower-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids can reduce nitrogen excretion, while higher-protein soybean meal has been linked to a roughly 5.5% reduction in greenhouse gases for every 1% increase in crude protein content.

Albert Heijn’s transparent soy chain adds a third lever: sourcing soy specifically cultivated to deliver lower emissions. 

By aligning retailers, processors, feed mills, and farmers, the company says the pilot proves that climate-smart soy is achievable when the entire chain participates.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.