Global expertise strengthens leading retailer’s agricultural vision

As the leading retailer in South Africa, Woolworths remains ambitious to continue raising its standards. To do this, it looks to overseas markets striving for global best practice.

Using our global supply chain experience, we provide Woolworths with strategic support, in what has become a long-term partnership.

Having implemented our welfare outcome measure programmes across livestock and aquaculture species, we report regularly on trends to benchmark performance. Woolworths uses these reports to discuss continuous improvement plans with suppliers.

We have supplemented these programmes through targeted supplier visits offering tailored advice. For example, by visiting poultry suppliers and giving advice on litter type and management, we helped support a reduction in pododermatitis levels in Woolworths chicken supply. This raised welfare levels and increased product value due to the improvements in quality.

Also on a practical level, we organised a study tour using our global network giving Woolworths and its suppliers direct access to examples of best practice around the world. The visit to cattle ranchers in Brazil is supporting Woolworths’ drive towards improving its beef farming standards. 

We are helping bring positive change by developing animal welfare sourcing standards and policies alongside regular assessments of potential species-specific issues, based on our 3Es framework (economic, ethical and environmental).