RESPONSIBLE SOURCING AND PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP 

 

 

 Responsible Sourcing 

 

Influenced by the volatile market environment and continuously changing customer demands, companies must actively adapt their respective business operations, manufacturing practices and distributions strategy to efficiently replace and/or replenish inventories, to meet the current market products and service’s needs, enabling consumers to meet their respective daily needs. This is achieved through raw material sourcing, conducted in a responsible manner, which determines a company’s ability to control the quantity, quality and origin of raw materials, ensuring that raw materials sourced are grown, processed and transported with Environmental, Social and Environmental (ESG) considerations, minimizing negative environmental and social impacts throughout the value chain. This consideration extends to all raw materials sourced, including animal products, fruits and vegetables and raw materials. Furthermore, the need for responsible raw material sourcing is expected to intensify, as global biodiversity continues to be affected from climate change, as reported by the World Economic Forum, resulting in ecosystem degradation, effecting the quantity, quality, and availability of raw materials, driving up operational expenses and product and service prices.

 

 

 

To integrate responsible raw material sourcing throughout the operations, BJC applies responsible raw material sourcing practice through emphasizing sustainable natural resource management. This is guided by the established corporate wide Sustainable Sourcing of Agricultural Raw Materials Policy,  Animal Welfare Policy and GMO Policy, which clearly outline BJC’s approach and expectations to raw material sourcing. The policy states that BJC and its subsidiaries will reduce water consumption, reduce environmental pollutions, protect soil health, prevent the destruction of ecosystems and reduce GHG emissions, contributing to a sustainable operation. BJC also expects and encourages suppliers to act in line with this commitment. 

 

Project: Reduction of Softwood Pulp Usage in Multi-purpose Tissue Products

BJC Cellox has initiated a project to reformulate its multi-purpose tissue products by reducing the proportion of softwood pulp (long fibers) while maintaining the required physical properties and quality standards.

Target :

• Reduce long fibers to 25% 
  The implementation involves machine adjustments, such as headbox slice and refiner settings, to enhance product strength and ensure consistent quality.

Results :

• Reduction of softwood pulp usage by 581 tons.

• Estimated reduction of 523.64 tons of CO₂e greenhouse gas emissions (based on 900 kg CO₂e per ton of pulp – Tomberlin et al., 2020)

This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to resource efficiency and environmental sustainability, in alignment with its long-term sustainability strategy.

 

 

 

Sustainable Agricultural Programs

 

Programs to reduce water consumption
		Farming Water Control by BJF   BJC recognizes the critical importance of effective water management, as water is essential for sustainable life and important for business. Berli Jucker Food (BJF) continues to educate farmers in northern Thailand on appropriate water management to improve water efficiency through initiatives. Since its implementation in 2018, BJF's farming water control approach has become one of its main water management projects. This initiative focuses on reducing water usage on farms, particularly during the potato growing process. By accurately determining the water needs at each stage of growth, the project minimizes water waste. Additionally, this water control method helps protect overall potato yields. Since potatoes have shallow roots and low tolerance for water stress, this approach reduces the risk of crop rot due to overwatering.    Year   2022   2023   2024   2025 Water use reduction (Million cubic meters)   1.34   1.23   1.13   1.32 Area (Arces)   1,989 (5,032 rai)   1,829  (4,627 rai)   1,693 (4,281 rai)   1,959 (4,958 rai)
		Crop rotation for reduced water consumption   In 2025, BJF continued to support crop rotation among farmers, encouraging the cultivation of corn or other crops suitable to local conditions during periods when potatoes cannot be grown. Crop rotation improves soil quality, increases agricultural yields, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and lowers the risk of crop diseases. It also improves soil biodiversity and helps to retain soil moisture, which contributes to reduced water consumption in farming activities. In addition, BJF promotes agroforestry to increase ecosystem resilience and maintain biodiversity, ensuring long-term sustainability of farming systems and the surrounding environment.
Program to reduce environmental pollution
		Cooperative Farming System at BJF   Berli Jucker Food (BJF) continued to support and improve farmers through various initiatives and knowledge sharing, such as supporting farmers to elevate farming practices beyond industrial expectations by complying with the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) of the Department of Agriculture. Registered farmers' compliance is regularly monitored through annual audits by Department of Agriculture personnel, fostering a positive relationship between farmers and BJF while safeguarding product quality and safety. The GAP system remains an important tool for monitoring farming practices, including production yield, growth duration, product quality, and fertilizer use. Compliance with the system also encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers.   Year   2022   2023   2024   2025 Province   Chiang Rai and Phayao   Chiang Rai and Phayao   Chiang Rai/ Phayao and Lamphun   Chiang Rai and Phayao Area (Acres)   1,371     3,689   1,903   1,839 Chemical fertilizer reduction (Tons)   190   667   541   793
		Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Products   Big C is advancing sustainable agriculture by supporting organic production and reducing the use of chemical fertilizer across farmers in northern Thailand. The project directly engages farmers, supporting the transition toward more environmentally responsible farming practices. The project focuses on building farmers’ knowledge and capabilities in sustainable agriculture through comprehensive training on practices that minimize chemical use. Farmers are encouraged to adopt alternative farming methods and organic agricultural practices, helping to protect soil health, preserve ecosystems, and reduce environmental pollution.
Programs to protect soil health
		Crop rotation in a potato farm   In 2025, Berli Jucker Food (BJF) continued to support crop rotation practices in potato farms across Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, and Tak provinces in Thailand to help maintain and prevent the deterioration of soil health. This expansion reflects BJF’s continued commitment to sustainable agriculture and improved soil management.       Deforestation-free agricultural areas verification   Berli Jucker Foods (BJF) has designated support for potato cultivation in suitable areas, ensuring that there is no deforestation. Conduct thorough inspections, including Thai government documents such as reviewing title deeds (N.S.4) and Certificates of Utilization (NS-3), or a document authorizing land utilization issued by a relevant government, which certifies that the owner has occupied the land and put it to good use, before approving cultivation on the designated farmland. BJF ensures that 100% of cultivation areas are free from forest encroachment and deforestation, and BJF continues to support sustainable agriculture and protect soil health from land management and across the value chain.
		BJF Sustainable Agriculture Initiative   In 2025, BJF advanced agricultural sustainability by training 686 farmers in Phayao and Chiang Rai on precise soil nutrient management, matching the supply of soil nutrients with nutrient demands of crops, fodder, and pasture plants. This approach reduced chemical fertilizer use by 198 tons and improved soil structure and long-term fertility while ensuring consistent crop quality, participating farmers increased from 2024, while chemical fertilizer use decreased compared with the previous year. Additionally, advanced water management practices across 3,967 rai reduced water consumption by 1.32 million cubic meters, reinforcing BJF’s commitment to resource efficiency, environmental responsibility, and resilient farming systems.
Programs to prevent the destruction of ecosystems
		Biodiversity Procedure   BJC has long recognized the important role of biodiversity in supporting the overall health and resilience of ecosystems. In 2025, the company enhanced its Standard Operating Procedure for Biodiversity Management, the Management Board approved revisions to key biodiversity‑related targets, accelerating the No Net Loss target from 2032 to 2030, and the Net Positive Impact and No Gross Deforestation goals from 2050 to 2030. Providing a guideline for all business units to proactively secure biodiversity and identify opportunities to strengthen BJC’s long-term competitiveness. This approach is implemented through a range of initiatives aimed at minimizing negative impacts on biodiversity across the entire value chain, while creating a net positive contribution to nature.   Biodiversity assessment   BJC evaluates the biodiversity effect of all BJC factories in Thailand. In addition, BJC intends to examine biodiversity effect with essential suppliers, particularly agricultural suppliers, in order to develop an action plan for managing biodiversity impact from the business operation.
		Sustainable raw material sourcing   BJC purchases agricultural products certified as sustainable raw materials, such as raw materials from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which promotes environmentally responsible and socially beneficial palm oil production. The Rainforest Alliance supports agricultural practices that protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and improve farmer livelihoods. Fairtrade ensures fair prices for producers, ethical labor conditions, and long-term community development. In addition, certifications that ensure deforestation-free production further strengthen responsible sourcing practices. Together, these certifications cover a range of key agricultural commodities, reflecting BJC’s commitment to sourcing raw materials that meet high environmental, social, and ethical standards and contribute to a sustainable, responsible supply chain.
Programs to reduce GHG emissions
		Crop Residue Management Initiative   In 2025, BJF continued to support and enhance farmers through knowledge sharing, such as improving crop residue management. Farmers are encouraged to manage their crop residues by cultivating instead of burning. Burning crop residues eliminates the opportunity to improve organic matter content and can potentially lead to substantial nutrient loss, and cultivating instead of burning can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural burning.
		Support Program for SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise)    In 2025, BJC supports the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups through the “Big C BizConnect: Growing Together” program, as a key strategic approach to supply chain management, with a strong focus on enhancing the capabilities of local suppliers and small-scale businesses. The program aims to enable participating entrepreneurs to systematically improve their business management, product development, innovation capacity and environmental performance, supporting their transition into long-term and sustainable partners within the company’s supply network, and this program aligns customer needs across regions with locally available products for in-store sales, enhancing local product offerings in retail and helping ensure that consumers have access to fresh, high-quality items while also reducing GHG emissions through shorter transportation distances.    In 2025, a total of 114 SMEs and startups participated in the Big C BizConnect program. Through structured training, technical support, while 132 SKUs were introduced to Big C distribution channels.
		Support Thai SMEs and Farmers   BJC recognizes the pivotal role of Thai farmers in the nation’s food security and economic development. Resource limitations and market fluctuations continue to hamper their sustainability and economic well-being. BJC is steadfast in supporting Thai farmers through initiatives promoting sustainable agricultural practices, expanding market access, and fostering community resilience.   In 2025, Big C intensified its commitment to empowering local SMEs and farmers by directly procuring top-quality, locally sourced products. Building on its 2022 achievements, BJC expanded its direct procurement program to purchase Thai fruits and vegetables directly from farmers, providing stable income. This initiative not only ensures freshness and quality for customers but also contributes to rural economic prosperity and reduced distances through local product offerings in retail, lowering logistics emissions and strengthening local value chains from farmers to consumers, and we can grow together with sustainability.
		Jak Doi Su Mueang at Big C    The Royal Project Products Festival "Jak Doi Su Mueang" at Big C Year 3, 2025, supports organic products and farmers under the Royal Project Foundation. The products sold are organic, high-quality, and fresh. Big C serves as a distribution channel for these quality products from the Royal Project through its branches nationwide and online channels, helping to create sustainable income for over 100 categories from highland Thai farmers. It also allows Big C customers to access fresh, clean, and safe vegetables and fruits, just like buying directly from the mountain farms. This event is held at Big C Extra Ladprao.   Since 2023, Big C is committed to promoting highland agricultural products through environmentally friendly production and post-harvest processes, ensuring consumers receive high-quality produce. By supporting organic and sustainable farming, the festival also helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by minimizing synthetic inputs and promoting practices that capture carbon and lower the overall carbon footprint. To continue for highland farmers and promote the cultivation of high-quality produce that is delicious, fresh, clean, and free from harmful contaminants. The initiative is not about expanding sales channels; it also helps provide farmers with more stable and predictable incomes. This is at the heart of our inclusive growth approach, through which we strive to ensure that every stakeholder across the value chain, from farmers to consumers, can grow together and sustainably.
		Reducing dependence on imported long-fiber pulp   Berli Jucker Cellox (CPC) enhanced sustainability by increasing the use of short-fiber pulp from domestic suppliers and reducing long-fiber (softwood) pulp in multi-purpose tissue products. Through precise machinery adjustments, CPC maintained product strength and quality. The shift also shortened transportation distances by relying on local suppliers and reduced transport distances through local products, cutting fuel use and logistics emissions. These actions strengthened supply chain resilience, supported the local economy, and improved resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
For more information ► BJC Sustainability Report 2025

 

 

 

Promoting Sustainability Through Certified Products

 

As a diversified consumer and retail business, BJC sources, distributes, and offers a wide range of agricultural and food-related products, including fresh, processed, and agricultural-based consumer products. Responsible sourcing of agricultural commodities is therefore an important part of BJC’s product stewardship and sustainable supply chain management.

Agricultural production can place significant pressure on ecosystems and natural resources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Growing consumer demand for transparency, traceability, and sustainably produced products has increased the importance of certified agricultural commodities. In 2025, BJC strengthened its sustainable sourcing practices by integrating sustainability certification requirements into procurement processes, supporting greater traceability and alignment with recognized standards across agricultural crop and animal-based product supply chains.

 

The raw materials used in the production of our own-brand snacks, including palm oil, sugar, and cacao, are certified by leading sustainability standards such as RSPO, Bonsucro, Fairtrade, and Rainforest Alliance. These certifications apply to our brands Tasto, Party, and Campus, ensuring responsible sourcing across the entire supply chain.

 

For more information ► Responsible Sourcing and Sustainable Product Stewardship Report 2025

 

 

 

Animal Welfare 

 

 

 

BJC has committed to engage in responsible raw material sourcing practices to conserve the well-being and availability of resources for future generations, while minimizing negative impacts on the economy, societal and environmental factors. One of the implemented approaches is the commitment to protect and elevate animal welfare throughout the value chain, paralleled with upholding stakeholder benefits and business competitiveness. Guided by the BJC Animal Welfare Policy, BJC encourages the humane treatment of animals across the supply chain, throughout the animal’s life cycle. The policy covers;

 

1. Cooperating with business partners, farmers, and livestock producers to ensure that suppliers adopt the practical and commercially viable standards of farm animal welfare, including pets and other live animals which cover breeding, growing, transporting and slaughtering (if relevant). The animal welfare is based on the 5 freedoms as follows;

 

 

2. Supporting business partners, farmers, and livestock producers to be responsible for using antibiotics, as well as minimizing the application of antibiotics on animals’ health and welfare.

3. Not using products or raw materials from animals that pose a risk to moral principles, affect animal welfare, or create negative impact to consumers’ health such as genetic modification, animal cloning and the use of chemical substances to accelerate animal growth.  This is applied to all Big C brands.

4. Supporting cage-free animal husbandry with enough living space, especially, chicken livestock that produces chicken products and eggs, for all Big C brands.

5. For distributing BJC’s animal food and equipment, the standards and safety must be applied in accordance with relevant laws, rules and regulations.

6. BJC does not distribute any products that contain raw materials from reserved wildlife and does not support activities that affect animal health and welfare.

 

Animal Welfare Disclose

 

BJC Group places importance on animal welfare, which is directly related to the quality and safety of food, and encourages the humane treatment of animals throughout the supply chain and across all stages of the animal life cycle. The company has undertaken various activities and business operations that reflect its commitment to animal welfare, including the following:

 

1. BJC does not sell product from illegal antibiotic-treated animal. BJC also expects all suppliers to use antibiotic at minimum or only when needed.
2. BJC does not sell product from genetically modified animal or cloned animal. BJC also requests all suppliers not to sell GMOs product to BJC.
3. BJC does not sell any product that contains illegal growth-promoting substance.
4. BJC does not own animal production or operation. BJC also conducts onsite audit at the operation site of critical suppliers of fresh food products.
5. BJC supports and put an effort to increase sales volume of cage-free eggs.
6. BJC collaborates with The Department of Livestock Development to obtain the certification of “Pasusut OK” (The Department of Livestock Development certifies the stores that sell hygienic meat as well as products from the farms that have Good Agricultural Practices certification).

 

BJC has a process for auditing suppliers’ farms. Agreements with suppliers clearly specify that they must comply with relevant animal welfare laws and refrain from using animal products derived from genetically modified or cloned animals. As a result, BJC’s animal products are free from illegal antibiotics, growth-promoting substances, and any involvement of genetically modified or cloned animals in the production process.

 

 

GMO 

Given the increase awareness and concerns for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) amongst modern customers, BJC has developed a clear policy, committing to deliver high quality and safe products to consumers, achieved through compliance with the corporate-wide Genetically Modified Organism Policy, committing BJC to adhere to all applicable GMOs laws, regulations and standards of any country in which it operates, ensure procurement of raw materials from a reliable source, which are traceable. Should any sourced raw materials contain GMOs, it must be managed and stored according to prevent contamination or leakages. GMOs products must publicly disclose information on products label as required by applicable laws and regulations, to regulate the sourcing of raw materials containing GMOs, and uphold customer trusts. 

 

 

 

 Products Stewardship 

 

BJC recognizes that responsible product management is essential to creating long-term value for customers, consumers, communities, and the environment. BJC considers the environmental, social, quality, and safety impacts of its products and services throughout their life cycle. BJC has established a Sustainable Products Program, supported by a classification system to identify and define sustainable or “green” products and services based on established sustainability criteria. The classification system covers products and services that contribute to climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, the sustainable use and protection of water resources, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

The Sustainable Products Program provides a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and classifying products and services based on their sustainability attributes and contributions to relevant environmental objectives. This approach supports the integration of sustainability considerations into product development and business decision-making while enhancing transparency and consistency in the identification of sustainable products and services. Details of the classification criteria, methodology, and examples of products and services under each sustainability category are presented in the Sustainable Products Program.

 

 

Organic Products 

 

BJC recognizes the growing demand for organic products as part of the transition toward more sustainable consumption and production. Organic products are produced using environmentally sound agricultural practices that avoid modern synthetic inputs, such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in accordance with applicable organic standards and certification requirements. Through responsible sourcing of organic products, BJC supports sustainable agricultural practices while providing customers with safe, high-quality, and nutritious choices.

BJC’s commitment to organic products is reflected in its Sustainable Sourcing of Agricultural Raw Materials Policy, Clause 11, which supports the distribution of organic products to promote the health and safety of customers. BJC applies responsible sourcing practices and recognizes internationally and nationally recognized organic standards and certifications to support the quality, authenticity, integrity, and traceability of organic products offered to customers.

Organic products are an important component of BJC’s Sustainable Products Program. Products classified as organic are assessed against applicable sustainability criteria and supported by recognized organic certifications or labels, including the EU Organic, USDA Organic, and Thai Organic labels, where applicable. The use of recognized certification schemes provides a consistent basis for identifying and classifying organic products within the Sustainable Products Program, while enhancing transparency and credibility for customers and stakeholders.

 

 

  

 

Private-Label Product Certification 

 

BJC Big C continues to expand its portfolio of sustainable products through its private-label brands, including BIG C HAPPY PRICE PRO and DOZO Best Bite, which offer products that have received recognized EU Organic and USDA Organic certifications, demonstrating compliance with established organic production and processing requirements.

These certifications support BJC Big C’s efforts to offer consumers more sustainable product choices while strengthening responsible sourcing and product stewardship throughout the product life cycle. The development of certified organic products also contributes to BJC’s broader sustainability objectives by promoting responsible agricultural practices, resource efficiency, and more sustainable consumption.

 

 

Other Sustainable Products and Services

 

BJC integrates sustainability considerations into the development of products and services across its diverse business portfolio. The Group seeks to provide solutions that respond to changing customer needs while creating positive environmental and social value. These offerings include products and services designed to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, promote circularity, and support more sustainable lifestyles and business operations.

BJC also tracks revenues generated from sustainable products and services to assess their contribution to business growth. Revenues are categorized into organic products and other sustainable products or services, based on the Group’s sustainability classification criteria. This approach enables BJC to monitor the growth of its sustainable product portfolio and demonstrate how sustainability is increasingly integrated into its business activities.

 

For more information ► Responsible Sourcing and Sustainable Product Stewardship Report 2025