Lidl, WWF achieve milestones in sustainable sourcing of palm oil

Lidl Cyprus has reached its goal of certifying palm oil used in its own-brand products, with 97 per cent now meeting international standards such as RSPO or EU Organic. This achievement marks a key moment in the company’s partnership with WWF Greece, a collaboration that began in 2024. The milestone reflects Lidl’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.

The alliance between Lidl and WWF goes beyond setting targets. The two organisations work together on practical actions, including joint supply chain risk assessments, the creation of binding sustainability criteria for suppliers and the implementation of monitoring processes. Their joint effort focuses on tackling the serious challenges linked to global palm oil production, especially by ensuring deforestation free and conversion free supply chains. Rigorous certifications help prevent further clearing of critical ecosystems, improve yields on existing farmland and guarantee traceability and respect for human rights in local communities.

"Together with WWF, we have been able to further sharpen our sourcing standards. We want to offer our customers a selection that is not only convincing in terms of quality, but is also produced responsibly," says Vasiliki Adamidou, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Lidl Cyprus. By expanding the availability of certified palm oil, Lidl makes it easier for shoppers to choose products made with responsibly sourced ingredients. Selecting certified items directly supports environmental protection and fairer working conditions.

While this success represents an important step, broader industry action is still needed to address the deep rooted ecological risks of palm oil production. Lidl and WWF call on other companies to set and meet ambitious sustainability goals of their own. Further details about the partnership can be found at corporate.lidl.com.cy. Additional resources and social channels include: https://team.lidl.com.cy/, www.lidlfoodacademy.com.cy/, www.facebook.com/lidlcy, www.instagram.com/lidl_cyprus, https://www.youtube.com/lidlcyprus, www.linkedin.com/company/lidl-cyprus.