About RCF Trace
The Responsible Commodities Facility (RCF) Trace – Accounting for Low Carbon Soy in Global Supply Chains project, will demonstrate a scalable, credible model for accounting for deforestation-free (DCF) and low-carbon soy from Brazil to European markets. As global regulations and public expectations tighten, retailers, manufacturers and fast-food companies, require dependable ways to trace soy to farm origin and account for the carbon benefits of sourcing from production landscapes which they have invested in. This project provides that demonstration, linking farm-level data to physical soy transactions across three major international supply chains.
project delivery partners
The Challenge
Current soy supply chains are highly optimised and rely on commodity trading models, making farm-level traceability extremely difficult. Mandated segregation under EUDR could sharply increase costs, create logistical inefficiencies, and even raise global carbon emissions. There is also a risk that ‘clean’ soy is simply diverted to compliant markets while ‘high-risk’ soy moves elsewhere, undermining deforestation-reduction goals. Buyers demand verified DCF soy; whilst traders warn that the economics of full segregation are unsustainable. This creates a market deadlock.
Demonstrating an alternative & complementary model
This project contributes to the resolution of this deadlock by showing how traceability, carbon accounting, and investment flows can align whilst discussions on the economics of segregation continue. Using FoodChain ID’s Traceability Certificates of Compliance (TCCs), the project tracks soy and its sustainability attributes across three Chains of Custody (Brazil → UK; Brazil → Spain → UK; and Brazil → Thailand → UK). Every commercial transaction, from farms and traders to processors, manufacturers, and UK retailers, is documented, verified, and linked to its deforestation-free and carbon data.
Core Innovations
Farm-Level Verification
Produzindo Certo collects deforestation, land-use, and carbon data and pilots regenerative agriculture and pasture restoration financing models that reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Chain-of-Custody Assurance
FoodChain ID validates TCCs, analyses transaction documents, performs sample audits, and ensures traceability integrity.
Carbon MRV System
3Keel develops a Monitoring, Reporting & Verification framework aligned with the GHG Protocol’s new Land Sector & Removals Standard, enabling carbon reporting by RCF investors.
Expected Outcomes (by late 2026)
- End-to-end, third-party-verified traceability of RCF soy from Brazil to UK retailers.
- Demonstrated carbon intensity of RCF soy and a credible methodology for emissions reduction claims.
- Evidence that collaborative traceability and landscape investment can contribute to soy sustainability and make regulations more impactful
- A replicable model for transforming soy supply chains and supporting long-term deforestation-free production in Brazil.
