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Supermarkets sit at the heart of global food systems. As the link between producers and millions of consumers, they have the power and responsibility to drive meaningful change across supply chains. At Solidaridad, we believe that supermarkets can be key partners in transforming markets, improving the livelihoods of farmers and workers and ensuring that sustainable products become the norm, not the exception.
During the 2025 Annual Conference of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a serious issue emerges: tens of thousands of certified independent smallholders are being left behind by the very system designed to support them. Despite achieving RSPO certification—a process requiring significant investment and commitment to social and environmental standards—the market is failing to purchase their certified produce and reward their efforts to invest in sustainability. The lack of uptake of credits creates a financial challenge for small farmers and threatens the integrity of the sustainable palm oil movement.
The Honduran palm sector, a vital contributor to the country’s economy, is facing a significant challenge: requirements under the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The regulation restricts access to the European market, unless farmers and suppliers demonstrate traceability, legality and deforestation-free production. Solidaridad is working with a local federation in the palm oil sector to rectify gaps to full compliance.
The fashion industry is undermining the potential of sustainable cotton for farmers and the environment by relying on uncertified cotton and synthetic fibres, finds a new report published today by Solidaridad and Good On You. The 2025 Cotton Rankings, covering the cotton sourcing of the top 100 fashion brands, also reveals that the fashion industry still lacks transparency on their purchasing practices.
The Indonesian tea sector is undergoing a period of transition. At stake are the livelihoods of thousands of small farmers who struggle with the impacts of a changing climate, declining productivity and low prices. A new national brandmark, Jatayu, reintroduces Indonesian tea to the global market by championing authentic, sustainably-produced tea from small-scale farmers building better livelihoods.
For exporters working with coffee and palm oil suppliers in Honduras, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) presents an immediate challenge. Starting in 2025, access to the European market will require documented proof that these products meet stringent criteria. Solidaridad’s pre-check protocol designed specifically for Honduran needs and regulations offers a solution.
A recent training on the Cool Farm Platform has improved the Solidaridad Central America team’s capacity to help farmers and agribusinesses make data-driven decisions, while reducing emissions across agricultural supply chains. Team members are now able to use the platform to advocate for climate-smart strategies that ensure both environmental resilience and sustainable markets.
Yasmin Nur Khadijah is known for her deep agricultural knowledge and spirited personality among the oil palm farmers she works with. As a Programme Associate for the Solidaridad-Cargill global partnership, Yasmin regularly travels to demonstration farms in the Selangor state of Malaysia to support farmers as they improve their practices and by extension their livelihoods.
The 2025 Palm Oil Barometer promotes ‘Procurement for Prosperity’, a new approach to ensure that independent smallholders are able to farm sustainably, maintain livelihoods.
Featured Producer Stories
For years, Rahinatu Lawal watched as heaps of fresh tomatoes harvested in her community went to waste due to inadequate storage facilities and a lack of processing options. Determined to tackle the problem, she began processing and preserving unsold tomatoes instead of letting them rot. She credits the Farmers Field and Business School under the Acting Now project in Nigeria for equipping her with the skills to do so.
Bahthiar Dollah is a local leader in the indigenous community of Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) Sungai Rambai, Carey Island in Malaysia. He is also a third-generation oil palm planter working to support his family and maintain the local environment. Bahthiar is among the 25 farmers in the Solidaridad Smallholder Support Programme, an initiative supported by Cargill.
Cassava is redefining food security in Sierra Leone. The Gbomuma Group in the Samie community has embraced cassava cultivation and worked to create a viable business through the tuber. With support, other farmers are boosting cassava yields and producing valuable products to build resilient livelihoods and strengthen the nation’s food future.