Farming Water Control by BJF

BJC recognizes the critical importance of effective water management, as water is essential for sustaining life and vital for business operations. Berli Jucker Food (BJF) continues to educate farmers in northern Thailand on appropriate water management to improve water efficiency through various 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. 

Smart Farming System

Big C supports farmers in incorporating technology into their agricultural businesses through the Big C Big Smart Local project. The objectives of this initiative are to:

Enhances production efficiency: By optimizing resource utilization, the Smart Farming System enables farmers to increase their yield while maintaining resource consumption at sustainable levels.

Streamlines labor utilization: The system addresses labor shortages by reducing reliance on manual labor.

Promotes resource conservation: Through optimized irrigation and energy usage, the Smart Farming System helps manage electricity and water consumption effectively, aligning farming practices with principles of sustainable production and consumption.

Enhances equipment longevity: By implementing predictive maintenance algorithms, the system minimizes equipment downtime and prolongs the lifespan of farming machinery.

Crop rotation for reduced water consumption

In 2024, BJF supports 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 fertilizers and chemicals, and lowers the risk of crop diseases. It also enhances soil biodiversity and helps 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. 

Cooperative Farming System at BJF

Berli Jucker Food (BJF) continued to support and uplift 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.

Sustainable agriculture in Northern Thailand

Big C is making significant strides in promoting the production of organic products and avoiding the use of chemicals in agriculture, focusing on environmental protection across all nine northern provinces of Thailand. This initiative directly engages farmers from Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Uttaradit.

The project is centered on educating farmers about sustainable farming practices that minimize chemical inputs. Big C provides comprehensive training sessions to farmers, emphasizing alternative methods and organic farming principles whenever feasible.

A crucial aspect of the initiative involves strict monitoring and control of chemical residues in crops. Farmers are trained to conduct regular checks for residues before harvesting to ensure that produce entering the market is free from harmful chemicals.This meticulous approach not only enhances food safety but also reduces environmental pollution from chemical fertilizer use.

Organic fertilizers

Emerging from the Remote School initiative, Rong Reaun Fun Nam Nom embodies a captivating story of sustainability and community empowerment. This program imparts knowledge on compost fertilizer production to schools in Chiang Mai province. In 2024, this program has participants from over 30 schools and more than 4,000 students and benefits from this endeavor at the Northern Agricultural Product Center in Chiang Mai. The compost fertilizer is used in school gardens to improve soil health and reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers. By adopting these practices, the initiative helps protect soil health, ensuring it remains fertile and resilient. This sustainable approach prevents soil degradation, supports biodiversity, and promotes healthier plant growth, fostering a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Crop rotation in a potato farm

In 2023, Berli Jucker Food (BJF) promoted crop rotation practices in potato farms across 4,712 Rai in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phayao provinces to help maintain and prevent the deterioration of soil health. In 2024, BJF expanded the initiative by increasing the total farming area to over 13.9 million square meters (8,654 Rai) and extended the program to include two additional provinces, Lamphun and Tak. This expansion reflects BJF’s continued commitment to sustainable agriculture and improved soil management.

Deforestation-free agricultural areas verification

Berli Jucker Food (BJF) has designated field officers to promote potato cultivation in suitable areas, ensuring that there is no deforestation. These officers 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 agency, which certifies that the owner has occupied the land and put it to good use, before approving cultivation on the designated 13.9 million sq. m. (8,654 Rai) of farmland in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, and Tak in 2024. This represents an expansion from 4,627 rai in 2023, reflecting BJF’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture.

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.

Biodiversity Procedure

BJC has long recognized the important role of biodiversity in supporting the overall health and resilience of ecosystems. In 2024, the company enhanced its Standard Operating Procedure for Biodiversity Management, 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. 

Construction of Check Dam

BJC Big C places great importance on maintaining the balance of ecosystems, soil moisture, and nutrients, while also helping to prevent soil erosion. Since 2022, the company has been constructing irrigation dams in various areas of Northern Thailand to secure water resources for agricultural areas that produce key products and ingredients, including potatoes, a major raw material for Tasto brand potato chips, and other fresh foods directly sourced from local farmers and sold in Big C supermarkets. Northern Thailand is an important region for farmers participating in projects in collaboration with BJC’s business operations including,  BJF and Big C.

In 2024, BJC Big C, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Northern Region Industrial Estate, organized a water retention weir construction activity under the Sustainable Green Area Development Project at Mae Ta Khrai National Park Protection Unit 5 (Ang Mae Tip), Ma Kuea Chae Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lamphun Province.

The construction of the water retention weir in this project is a joint effort among the government, private sector, and local communities to restore and conserve watershed forests, increase soil moisture, and prevent the destruction of ecosystems. In the past, the Mae Ta Khrai National Park area experienced over 200 forest fires, causing damage to more than 1,000 rai of forest land. This initiative aims to protect the forest, maintain biodiversity, and promote sustainable environmental management for future generations.

Sustainable raw material sourcing

BJC purchases agricultural products certified as sustainable raw materials, such as those 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.

Crop Residue Management Initiative

In 2024, BJF continued to support and uplift farmers through various initiatives and knowledge sharing, such as improving crop residue management. Farmers are encouraged to manage their crop residues by plowing instead of burning. Burning crop residues eliminates the opportunity to improve organic matter content and can potentially lead to substantial nutrient loss.

Support Program for SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) 

In 2024, Big C has continued its support for and participation in the SME Business Matching program since 2023, working alongside government agencies to promote the growth and sales of Thai SMEs, OTOP enterprises, and Thai agricultural products. 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.

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 to 25%. Through precise machinery adjustments, CPC maintained product strength and quality while reducing softwood pulp use by 581 tons in 2024, equivalent to 523.64 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided. 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 advanced CPC’s commitment to resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The Palm Pulp and Paper Project converts agricultural byproducts (palm empty fruit bunches)

In 2024, Berli Jucker Cellox (CPC) implemented the Palm Pulp and Paper Project, which converts agricultural byproducts (palm empty fruit bunches) into unbleached brown paper products, such as Brown Napkin and ITF Towel Brown, now available in Factory Outlet stores. This innovation reduces dependence on wood pulp, eliminates the need for bleaching chemicals, and promotes the use of renewable resources. The project generated sales of 2.3 million baht in 2023. Aligned with BJC’s Sustainable Raw Material Sourcing Policy, the project supports global sustainable development priorities by encouraging responsible consumption and production, reducing carbon emissions, and helping conserve forests and biodiversity. It also creates social value by generating new economic opportunities for agricultural communities.

Total Procurement Spending

Baht

123,342,954,911

126,636,213,370

131,117,202,491

Spending on purchasing of products and services from local suppliers and contractors for significant operations (i.e. In Thailand)

Baht

115,543,666,329

117,434,274,598

121,204,515,902

Percent of spending from local supplier comparing to the total general procurement budget

Percentage (%)

94

93

89