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Sustainable Supply ChainHow sourcing raw materials locally can improve the lives of rural farmers in Ghana
To achieve a sustainable supply chain and foster communities, De Heus Ghana's ambition is to purchase at least 50% of its raw materials from local sources by 2025. In this way, the company can improve the whole supply chain along with the economic position of local farmers. This requires the local business unit to collaborate with strong partners who share De Heus' values.
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Sustainable Supply ChainOur road to sustainability KPI’s
This year, De Heus is further unfolding its sustainability strategy towards measuring its impact worldwide. Because relevant, reliable and comparable information about the impact of our activities is essential, to monitor our global progress on sustainability and to meet reporting legislation and stakeholder expectations. This all starts with setting a baseline.
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Sustainable Supply ChainPioneering aquaculture research on the banks of the Mekong river
One of the biggest challenges in aquafeed production today is understanding the precise nutritional requirements for different species of farmed fish and shrimp. That is why the global research centre on the banks of the Mekong river in Vietnam is gathering important data that will shed light on the efficient conversion of feed into animal protein. By optimising the impact of aquafeed, farmers around the world can raise healthier fish and shrimp with less feed costs.
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Sustainable Supply ChainHow one modern slaughterhouse raises the bar for Myanmar’s poultry sector
Throughout Asia, the demand for sustainable and safe poultry products is growing rapidly. In the face of increased competition and movements towards chain integration, a volatile market and changing sales channels, many independent poultry farmers in Myanmar are struggling to tap into this potential. Together with key players in the poultry sector, De Heus Myanmar developed the first modern slaughterhouse in the country, providing independent farmers a better price for their products and access to a premium market.
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Sustainable Supply ChainDe Heus invests in GHG impact and business continuity with own solar park in South Africa
As part of the commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible animal feed at De Heus, the company is working to reduce its carbon footprint worldwide. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in production and logistics are contributors to the carbon footprint, which is why De Heus has an ongoing programme of sustainability initiatives to tackle these emissions. Underlining the company’s dedication to advancing ecofriendly solutions within the animal nutrition industry at a regional level, it has recently developed a field of solar panels at one of its production facilities in South Africa. This decision was primarily driven by the GHG impact, but it also improves the operational resilience and business continuity.
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Sustainable Supply ChainDeveloping a self-sufficient food chain and fostering rural communities in Ghana through layer farming
As an entrepreneurial company, De Heus strongly believes that independent entrepreneurship of farmers is the engine of local economies. We believe in maintaining the vitality of rural communities. To help achieve this, local business units collaborate with supply chain partners to support rural farmers so they can strengthen and improve their business operations. This in turn benefits local communities and helps countries become more self-sufficient in terms of food supply, particularly in developing nations. In Ghana, the vast majority of laying hens are imported, resulting in high egg prices. De Heus has formed a pioneering joint venture with Kuipers Breeders to produce layer chicks locally. This will not only support the country in developing its own independent food supply, it will also help provide the local population with an affordable and nutritious source of protein. We talk to Jurjën Kuipers of Kuipers Breeders and Theo Smalbraak, Business Group Director Africa & Middle East, De Heus, about how the partnership developed, what they plan to achieve and their long-term ambitions.
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Sustainable Supply Chain‘With a transparent carbon footprint of feed, De Heus provides opportunities for the entire value chain’
The livestock sector takes its responsibility in combatting climate change by reducing its emissions. Actors throughout the value chain are intensifying their efforts to reduce their climate impact and meet their sustainability targets. The most prevalent area of attention is reducing the carbon footprint.
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Sustainable Supply ChainAn inspiring restoration project with local farmers: Realising the Araguai biodiversity corridor in Brazil
Acquiring raw materials from sustainable sources means protecting natural ecosystems and biodiversity. To support global conservation, De Heus is a long-term partner of the Black Jaguar Foundation. Founded by Ben Valks in 2009, this non-profit organisation works committed to restoration along the banks of the Araguaia River, which connects the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savanna in Brazil, two of the world’s most important ecosystems.
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Sustainable Supply ChainLooking at the road ahead: De Heus' commitment to sustainable transport in The Netherlands
Every day, a fleet of 100 trucks hits the road to deliver animal feed from the Netherlands to customers across The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the northern part of France. Traveling up to 100,000 kilometres annually, these heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for significant CO2 emissions which add to the footprint of our feed. Three logistics professionals from De Heus share their experiences with a more sustainable approach to truck transport.
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Sustainable Supply ChainDeveloping programmes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
To combat global climate change, it’s important to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of feed and food production. Not least because global warming has an enormous impact on agriculture throughout the world. At De Heus, we are committed to implementing programmes that aim to create emission reductions in feed production and food supply chain. Leading these programmes is Stefan van den Bogaard, Group Director Technology & Investments. He tells us about De Heus’s strategies to reduce the company’s global carbon footprint and how De Heus’ local expertise is generating new ideas for sustainable solutions.