Soy guideline
Globally, 10% of all soy produced is used directly for human consumption. Most soy produced is used as an ingredient in feeds for farmed animals, and ends up on our tables through meat and dairy products and eggs. In Finland, soy feed is primarily used for pigs, poultry and laying hens. Soy is not used as feed for cattles in Finland.
The largest environmental impacts of the continuous expansion of soy cultivation areas particularly in South America relate to deforestation, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the loss of biodiversity, and erosion. Soy cultivation is reported to cause social problems related for instance to land ownership and distribution of income.
As a member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) organisation, Kesko is committed to the long-term and systematic management of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the soy supply chain. Certified soy production requires these aspects to be taken into account.
100% of the soy used as an ingrediant in Pirkka, Pirkka Parhaat, K-Menu and Kespro's Menu food products has been covered by certified production or RTRS credits since 2019. Certified soy means that the soy used in the supply chain originates from a certified source and has been verified under a recognised certification scheme, such as RTRS, ProTerra, Donau Soja/Europe Soya or Fairtrade. Soy covered by RTRS credits means that a company purchases RTRS credits to support certified soy production, but the soy used in the product is not necessarily physically certified or traceable.
Kesko recommends that its suppliers use RTRS or ProTerra certified soy in cases where soy feed is used in the production chain of grocery trade private label food products of animal origin. RTRS certified soy which is kept physically separate throughout the supply chain, or ProTerra, Donau Soja/Europe Soya or FairTrade certified soy is recommended for soy-based ingredients of private label products.
The soy guideline was published on 19 February 2016 and last updated on 26 September 2026.
Status of the soy guideline in 2025
100% of the soy used as an ingredient in Pirkka, Pirkka Parhaat and K-Menu food products sold in 2025 was covered by certified production or RTRS credits, of which 51% was RTRS, Donay Soja/Europe Soya or Proterra certified and the rest was RTRS credited.
100% of the soy used as an ingredient in Kespro Menu food products sold in 2025 was covered by certified production or RTRS credits, of which 63% was RTRS and DonaySoja/Europe Soya certified and the rest was RTRS credited. 74% of the soy fodder used for the production of products of animal origin in Pirkka, Pirkka Parhaat, K-Menu and Menu foods was within the scope of the producers’ own certification procedures. For the remaining 26% Kesko acquired the RTRS credits.
