Cargill maintains investment in Brazil

The year was marked by the record investment that Cargill made in Brazil: R＄ 1,2 billion invested in the country in 2022, 18% higher than the previous one (R＄ 1,023 billion). If you add up the last five years, the company has invested more than 4 billion in its operations in Brazil, numbers that reflect the importance of national food production to supply domestic, regional and global markets. They also align with the company's commitment to working side by side with those who produce food that reaches different tables on five continents.

Cargill in Brazil ended 2022 with net operating revenue of R＄ 125,8 billion, which represents growth of 22% compared to the previous year. Net profit for 2022 was R＄ 1,2 billion, lower than that recorded in the same period of the previous year, mainly impacted by the increase in production and logistics costs.

In the view of the company's president in Brazil, Paulo Sousa, the result achieved in 2022 is once again strongly marked by the commitment and expertise of the company's more than 11 thousand employees in the country and by the relevance of Brazilian operations on Cargill's global map. “We are proud to have people who identify with our purpose of feeding the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Brazil plays an extremely important role in global food supply and, at Cargill, we are certain that we can contribute to global food security, by connecting grain and food producers to final consumers”, analyzes Sousa.

People at the center: inside and outside the company

One of Cargill's values ​​is to put people first. This is reflected in the search for a work environment in which everyone feels valued, respected and heard. In 2022, the company implemented working models with more flexibility between in-person and remote work, carried out a series of racial literacy courses for professionals from different areas of activity, launched the INcluir Program, with exclusive vacancies for people with disabilities and the Support Program the Acquisition of Prostheses and Orthoses (Papo), which subsidizes this investment for professionals with disabilities.

The focus on people and concern for health motivated the company to dress Liza Soja's Pomarola tomato sauce packaging in pink, in reference to Pink October, awareness month about breast cancer prevention and control. The decision included a series of virtual and in-person activities on the importance of prevention, both for internal audiences and on the brands' official channels.

In 2022, 21 socio-environmental projects directly benefited more than 6 thousand people throughout Brazil. In parallel, the Cargill Foundation invested R＄3,1 million and more than 100 thousand people benefited. In addition, 43 projects were supported through the Cargill Foundation call for proposals and 14 Enactus teams were awarded through the Alimentação em Foco Award.

Business expansion and diversification

The agricultural business once again achieved significant results despite the challenges faced. Whether due to factors inherent to the market, such as variations in agricultural production, prices and exchange rates, or due to the logistical challenges of a country with continental dimensions such as Brazil. Even so, the company had a historic year, with a significant increase in the volumes of grains originated, processed and sold, surpassing the mark of 41 million tons handled in 2022. This volume represents an increase of 15% compared to the previous year.

Portfolio diversification marked Cargill's year. The official opening of the Pectin plant in Bebedouro (SP) meets the global demand for pectin, a soluble fiber obtained from the peel of oranges, lemons and apples. The unit was entirely planned according to advanced technologies and sustainable practices and became a model for other Cargill factories around the world.

In the Cocoa & Chocolate business, the company signed a partnership to plant cocoa in the Cerrado region, in addition to expanding the Genuine brand portfolio, with the arrival of Genuine Dark 65% Cocoa.

New consumption profiles were on Cargill's agenda in 2022. In synergy with the search for sustainability, the company launched Pomarola Chef with new Pomodoro packaging that uses 18% less ink. Meanwhile, Purilev's health care line gained another member: Avocado Oil, rich in omega 9.

In parallel, the Elefante product line launched ketchup, mustard, marking the company's entry into this segment, in addition to the Elefante Só Tomate extract, with a natural proposal adapting to the new behaviors of Brazilians with reusable plastic packaging.

In Animal Nutrition, the company brought the phytogenic Biostrong Forte to support the performance of broiler chickens in the country, and the new generation of Neopigg, a solution for pig nutrition in the nursery phase. These products focus on supporting nutrition and, as a consequence, animal health, reinforcing productivity that places Brazil among the largest players in poultry and swine.

Innovation has confirmed itself as one of the company's pillars. In the Beef Cattle area, the company launched CattleView, a service that combines Artificial Intelligence and cattle monitoring to increase Animal Welfare rates.

Commitments to sustainability

The increase in the world population is accompanied by the importance of increasingly sustainable food production. Brazil is not left out of this. In 2022, Cargill announced an unprecedented commitment: supporting the restoration of 100 thousand hectares of areas over the next five years. To achieve the goal, the company created and reinforced a series of partnerships with producers, governments, sectoral entities and other social actors to support producers in environmental regularization and the restoration of altered areas, contributing to compliance with the Brazilian Forest Code.

Another highlight of 2022 was the mapping to the polygon level of 100% of direct soy suppliers in the priority municipalities where Cargill operates in Brazil. This type of mapping is crucial for building a deforestation-free supply chain, as it allows you to monitor changes in land use linked to the soy purchased.

Last year, the Ação Renove o Meio Ambiente program, the largest oil reverse logistics program in Brazil, reached the mark of 8 million liters of oil used since 2010. In 2022 alone, there were 800 thousand liters. The numbers reinforce the increasing engagement of consumers who deposit used cooking oil at 5,7 collection points in 19 states. Furthermore, a partnership in Goiânia (GO) opened a house to receive recyclable materials, stimulating the circular economy, recycling and job creation.

A partnership between the company and an agricultural cooperative managed to reduce ammonia emissions by 23% over the course of a year in pig production. In these studies, a diet was used for the animals with the eubiotic additive Aromex, sold in Brazil by Cargill. The ammonia reductions obtained with the use of technology are equivalent to 119 tons of carbon dioxide, and this corresponds to the burning of 50 thousand liters of gasoline with benefits for the environment, animal welfare and better conditions for employees.

Future vision

The increase in population and the demand for more sustainable fuels bring a series of challenges, especially in the food supply. This motivates Cargill to continue its focus on operational strength in 2023, working together with plants, ports, origination, commercial and logistics teams, among many others, to meet and anticipate customer needs. The goal is to maintain deliverability and connect those who grow food with those who consume it.