About Us
Our Businesses
Investors
Responsibility
Media
Careers
About Us
Our Businesses
Investors
Responsibility
Media
Careers
AB Agri recognises the risk of human rights impacts in its businesses' global supply chains and its responsibility to respect human rights.
A quality control technician speaks to the site manager while testing ingredient samples at Premier Nutrition, Fradley, UK
AB Agri’s businesses source around 2,500 different raw materials from over 1,200 suppliers, including bulk commodity suppliers and ingredient manufacturers. AB Agri values supply chain diversity and seeks to support small and mid-sized suppliers in upholding its standards. If the business needs to implement new standards or data collection requirements, it aims to work in partnership with its suppliers and engage them as early as possible.
AB Agri’s Responsible Sourcing Policy and its internal Responsible Sourcing Standards apply to all its businesses. The Policy outlines areas of focus, including deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems, human and labour rights, and efficient and more sustainable resource use. It also explains the roles and responsibilities of the businesses and their employees in the procurement process. The Responsible Sourcing Standards, based on the Group Supplier Code of Conduct and the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code, describe the sourcing approach and processes required for different sourcing categories.
AB Agri has continued to implement the requirements of its Responsible Sourcing Policy, starting with raw materials. This category includes a wide range of bulk agricultural commodities such as cereals, oilseed meals, macrominerals, feed additives and co-products. The division has committed that all procurement categories will adhere to the Responsible Sourcing Standards by 2030.
Human and labour rights risks linked to certain raw materials are identified and monitored using the Verisk Maplecroft global risk analysis tool and the Sedex (‘Supplier Ethical Data Exchange’) online database. AB Agri uses information from its risk analysis to inform conversations with relevant suppliers, and works collaboratively with its suppliers to uphold the Responsible Sourcing Standards.
AB Agri has mapped the country of origin for over 95% of its raw material. Based on this information, an initial rating on human and labour rights risks is assigned using the Verisk Maplecroft global risk analysis tool. Certain high-risk raw material suppliers are then required to complete an online Sedex assessment, which is reviewed by the AB Agri ethical compliance team who determine whether an on-site audit is required.
Throughout this process, AB Agri focuses on supporting its suppliers to achieve its Responsible Sourcing Standards and only considers alternative sourcing where efforts to use its leverage to address any relevant issues have failed.
In 2026, 97% of AB Agri’s raw material suppliers had either received a low-risk rating according to the Verisk Maplecroft evaluation or were actively engaged in ongoing risk mitigation efforts in line with its Responsible Sourcing Standards.
In 2026, AB Agri continued to work collaboratively with its suppliers, particularly those identified as higher risk. For example, the business engaged with raw material suppliers to share insight on their supplier approval processes and any subsequent audit process. AB Agri seeks partners that can demonstrate robust ethical oversight across their supply chains. It also commissions social audits, including audits at a third-party warehouse and repacking facility in India and a palm oleochemical product supplier in Malaysia. These audits resulted in positive actions from suppliers to address non-conformances and to align with the ABF Supplier Code of Conduct in 2026.
AB Agri also provides information and training on issues relating to human rights for new employees as part of its induction process. Regarding its own operations, all AB Agri manufacturing sites have completed an annual Sedex self-assessment. In 2022, AB Agri developed a plan to conduct audits at all its manufacturing sites globally. In 2026, over 90% of these have been completed with the remaining sites to be completed in the coming year.
AB Agri has developed a new bespoke software system that is being rolled out to its feed businesses across a majority of markets, to manage relevant supplier and product data. It aims to ensure that its businesses engage with suppliers more efficiently and consistently across their supply chain. The software captures data required to support feed safety compliance, enable responsible sourcing risk assessments, and provides technical review across suppliers and products.
