No-deforestation guideline
Deforestation and forest degradation are progressing globally at an alarming rate. They are also among the most critical drivers of increasing greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
One of the most significant causes of deforestation and forest degradation is the expansion of agricultural land, for example for the production of cattle, timber, palm oil, soy, cocoa or coffee (source: European Commission, Regulation on Deforestation-free Products).
Mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss requires value chains to reduce deforestation risks and improve transparency.
Kesko is committed to minimising its climate and nature impacts across the entire value chain. We respect planetary boundaries by minimising negative and maximising positive impacts on climate and nature.
Raw materials linked to deforestation that are material to Kesko
Many products in Kesko’s assortments contain raw materials whose production chains may involve a risk of deforestation and forest degradation. The raw materials identified as material are timber, coffee, cocoa, beef, soy, palm oil and rubber.
| Timber | Coffee | Cocoa | Beef |
|
Our assortments include a wide range of wood and paper products. In the building and technical trade, these include sawn timber and building boards, and in grocery trade, for example cooking papers and tissue products. In car trade, wood is used in plywood linings of commercial vehicles. |
We sell coffee mainly as roasted coffee beans or ground coffee. |
Cocoa is used as a raw material primarily in cocoa drinks and chocolate products. |
We sell beef both as fresh meat and as various meat products. Beef is also used as an ingredient in ready meals. |
| Soy | Palm oil | Rubber |
|
Most soy is used as a raw material in feed for production animals and reaches consumers through meat and dairy products as well as eggs. In Finland, soy feed is mainly used for pigs and poultry, as well as laying hens. |
Palm oil is used in numerous food products, such as margarines, baked goods, snacks and ice cream. |
Natural rubber is used as a raw material primarily in car tyres. In grocery trade and in building and technical trade, natural rubber is also used for example in rubber boots and household and disposable gloves. |
Kesko’s commitment
As part of Kesko’s climate targets, we commit to no deforestation across our primary deforestation-linked commodities after 2025. Our climate targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The target covers raw materials linked to deforestation that are material to Kesko, with particular focus on our own brand products.
The sourcing of products containing raw materials linked to deforestation is guided by our sustainability guidelines. Through these guidelines, we steer sourcing, especially of our own brand products and the raw materials they contain, primarily through internationally recognised certification schemes.
• Timber and paper guideline
• Palm oil guideline
• Soy guideline
• Cocoa guideline
• Coffee and tea guideline
Beef
Kesko does not have a separate guideline for beef. Of the fresh and frozen beef sourced by Kesko, more than 95% is of Finnish origin*. Soy feed is not used in Finnish beef production.
The risk of deforestation associated with beef production is significant particularly in Latin America, East Africa and Eastern Australia (source: WWF International, Deforestation Fronts – Drivers and responses in a changing World, 2021). Production facilities in deforestation risk areas: We do not source beef produced in the Amazon region. In other deforestation risk areas, we are progressing towards a consistent due diligence approach by utilising more detailed origin information, supplier-specific assessments, and verification and certification practices.
Encouraging suppliers
Kesko recommends that all suppliers identify raw materials linked to deforestation in their own supply chains, assess the associated risks, and commit to deforestation-free supply chains.
* Estimate based on 2025 data, measured by weight.
The deforestation guideline was published on 13 June 2022 and updated on 22 May 2026.
The implementation of the deforestation guideline is monitored through the related guidelines: the timber and paper guideline, palm oil guideline, soy guideline, cocoa guideline, and coffee and tea guideline.
