Ocho Sur wins organic certification for 2,234 hectares in Peru

Peruvian palm oil producer Ocho Sur has certified 2,234 hectares at its Zanja Seca plantation in Ucayali under three international organic standards. The move opens access to organic buyers in the United States, Japan and other markets that require certified supply.

Why it matters: - Ocho Sur can now sell certified organic palm oil into markets that require organic status, including the United States and Japan. - The certification covers 2,234 hectares in Ucayali, making the Zanja Seca plantation one of the largest organic oil palm operations in Latin America. - The new status broadens the company's product mix and adds a premium market channel for its agricultural output.

What happened: - Ocho Sur earned three international organic certifications for its oil palm crops in Peru's Ucayali region. - The certifications were issued for the company's Zanja Seca plantation in the Peruvian Amazon. - Control Union Certifications B.V. of the Netherlands carried out the independent audits. - The certification standards included USDA Organic, the Japanese Agricultural Standard for organic products, and a third standard named in the release.

The details: - The audits found that Ocho Sur's agricultural operations comply with international organic production standards. - The audits also verified that the company's farming practices follow globally recognized best practices. - Michael Spoor, chief executive officer of Ocho Sur, said the certifications confirm the company's operations meet high international standards. - Spoor said the certifications also support Ocho Sur's commitment to a modern, inclusive agricultural model. - Spoor said the certifications create new opportunities for partner farmers and communities in the company's value chain.

Between the lines: - The organic approvals give Ocho Sur a clearer route into export channels where certification is a buying requirement, not just a marketing advantage. - The company is pairing the certification push with environmental and social initiatives aimed at sustainable development in Ucayali. - The release ties commercial expansion to community impact, signaling a strategy that blends market access with local development.

What's next: - Ocho Sur is positioned to supply certified organic palm oil to buyers in the U.S., Japan and additional international markets. - The company says its environmental and social programs in Ucayali will continue alongside the new certification status.

The bottom line: - The certification turns a large Peruvian plantation into a more export-ready organic supplier and expands Ocho Sur's reach into higher-value markets.