Sustainability Leadership: What Goals Are Lithuania’s Leading Feed Producers Aiming For?

As Lithuania's agricultural sector undergoes a new phase of change and prepares to meet sustainable development and European Green Deal goals, the country's feed industry is also evolving. One of the largest food and feed companies in Lithuania, AB "Kauno Grūdai," declares its commitment to sustainability in all areas of operation, including the production of compound feed and premixes. The company aims to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining increasing production volumes and profitability.

"Sustainability is often something that has long been forgotten," says Šarūnas Valys, Head of Non-Food Business at AB "Kauno Grūdai." "Our clients, large Lithuanian livestock, poultry, and pig farming enterprises, face new sustainability challenges. I am convinced that the primary way to address these challenges is to find ways to do more with less. This means seeking optimal, efficient solutions in all farming processes, including feed production."

According to Valys, "Kauno Grūdai" has been actively refining its sustainability strategy for several years, applying sustainability principles across all areas of operation. Supplying high-quality feed to Lithuanian farms for over 30 years, the company continually invests in improving working conditions, updating equipment, and increasing productivity, with efficiency, high product quality, and targeted feed formulas tailored to client needs as key goals.

From Local Raw Materials to Globally Recognized Certifications
The company sources mostly local raw materials for its products. "For feed production, we purchase locally grown cereals such as wheat, corn, rapeseed, oil, triticale, and barley. We only import crops that cannot be grown in Lithuania or are insufficiently available, such as soybeans or a supplemental quantity of corn. By selecting local suppliers, we shorten supply chains, reduce transportation emissions and costs, resulting in lower prices for the end user. Some studies indicate that using local crops can reduce feed costs by up to 25%. Utilizing local farmers' products strengthens the regional economy and helps avoid international trade risks, like price fluctuations or supply disruptions," says Valys.

An equally significant part of "Kauno Grūdai’s" sustainability strategy is ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain. Valys adds that the company works exclusively with certified suppliers who can ensure that raw materials are sourced responsibly and sustainably. For example, the company uses soybean meal from farming practices that do not harm forests or biodiversity. The company holds sustainability certifications such as ISCC, RTRS, and CCS, which guarantee raw material safety, quality, and traceability.

"One certificate we're proud of is the GMP+ standard, covering premix production and raw material trading and verifying our place in a globally recognized safe and sustainable supply chain. Our clients highly value raw material traceability, and this certification ensures all suppliers are certified. Achieving this requires adjustments that ensure quality control from production and storage to transport and delivery," Valys explains.

Valys notes that this globally recognized certification enhances client trust and increases opportunities to expand operations worldwide.