Defining what sustainability is and how to improve it can be a daunting topic for poultry producers. This is because its challenging to find the right areas to focus on while balancing animal welfare, environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, affordability, and consumer, investor and regulator expectations.
According to Darling Ingredients Director of Sustainability Ethan Carter, producers should start by viewing sustainability in a way that meets the needs of this generation without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.
“The industry needs to make sure that everything it does, the resources it uses, the way it leaves the earth and the social mechanisms that it is setting up are as good, or better, for future generations,” he said at the 2024 Chicken Marketing Summit.
From a business standpoint, Carter recommends poultry companies ask: What among these topics is the most relevant to us and our stakeholders?
“Looking for the opportunities that make the most sense for your company and consumers are important,” he added.
Policy and data
To set up success for the future poultry industry, Carter suggests poultry producers focus on policies being set up now that are meant to drive sustainability action and the impact of sustainability data.
An example of a policy that producers could capitalize on is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standards, which was created to reduce GHG emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector while reducing reliance on imported oil.
“There are opportunities out there to take advantage of these policies, think a little differently about your business and figure out how you can lower impact while also looking for the business opportunities,” he said.
Additionally, having a greater availability of sustainability data will enable consumer choice based on sustainable aspects and allow for a better understanding of what impacts the supply chain positively or negatively.
“In the sustainability space, there is a huge focus on understanding supply chains,” he said. “It’s difficult, especially in certain parts of the world, to gather traceability data all the way through the supply chain and understand the impact. There is a lot of effort to improve this. The more data producers and consumers have, the more they will want to understand.”
Attend the 2025 Chicken Marketing Summit
The 2025 Chicken Marketing Summit will be held at the DeSoto Savannah in Savannah, Georgia, on July 28-30, 2025.
Serving a unique cross-section of the chicken supply chain, the Chicken Marketing Summit explores issues and trends in food marketing and consumer chicken consumption patterns and purchasing behavior.
Registration will open in early 2025.
For more information, visit: www.wattglobalmedia.com/chickenmarketingsummit/
