Staying on track: advancing sustainable rice production in Uruguay
Two farmer groups in Uruguay covering 35 producers have earned SRP Verified status across 20,510 hectares, following an April audit by Preferred by Nature. The result moves Uruguay's rice sector from preparation to verified practice.
Earlier this year, Uruguay laid the foundations for the next phase of its sustainable rice strategy. Today, work is becoming a reality. In June, two farmers groups that involve 35 Uruguayan rice farmers received their SRP Verified certificates issued by Preferred by Nature, marking a significant step forward for the sector and consolidating SRP's role as a strategic partner in supporting sustainable rice production in the country and in the Río de La Plata basin. As planned, efforts are now focused on scaling implementation and supporting more producers in turning sustainability commitments into verified practices on the ground.
From commitment to verified practice
Along April, an intensive auditing process was carried out by Preferred by Nature under the SRP standard, involving multiple and key actors across the rice value chain, including Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA) Uruguay (Rice Growers Association, in English), Casarone Agroindustrial S.A., Coopar S.A., among other relevant companies in the country. The work included field visits in the harvesting season, on-site interviews, and documentation reviews, enabling the validation of tangible progress in sustainable practices.
This phase focused on moving from preparation to verification through auditing, verifying compliance with SRP requirements in real production contexts. Across approximately 20,510 hectares, involving 35 farmers and covering an estimated 184,644 tons of paddy rice production, the audit process provided a robust and credible assessment of implementation at scale.
Fieldwork confirmed:
- Consistent application of SRP-aligned practices across different production systems
- Measurable improvements in working conditions and worker awareness
- Strong traceability and documentation systems in place
- Effective use of technology for crop monitoring and decision-making
- Integrated production models combining rice, pasture, and livestock in long-term rotations
This process reflects a collective ambition: positioning Uruguayan rice as a global benchmark for quality, traceability, stability, and responsible production.
"What we are seeing on the ground confirms that when there is a sector-wide alignment and a shared vision, sustainability becomes a tangible reality. Uruguay has a unique opportunity to lead this transformation in the region, and they chose SRP and Preferred by Nature to demonstrate this", said Ariel Zorrilla.
From ACA’s perspective, the commitment is equally strong:
"This is a strategic move for the sector. Our associated farmers are not only aligning with internationally recognized standards, but also strengthening traceability, improving working conditions, and showcasing a production system based on efficiency, innovation, and responsible resource management," Cecilia Pattarino, General Manager of ACA.
What comes next for Uruguay
For the first 35 farmers, obtaining SRP Verification is not simply about receiving a certificate. It is the result of months of preparation, field implementation, and independent verification to demonstrate that sustainable practices are being applied consistently in real production conditions. More broadly, it sends a strong message about the direction of the Uruguayan rice sector: sustainability is no longer an ambition or a pilot exercise, but a concrete and verifiable way of producing rice at scale.
Looking ahead, a next step is the development of a national interpretation of the SRP Standard for Uruguay, driven by the strong conviction across the sector, the relevance of rice production in the country, and the ambition to ensure consistency and local alignment in implementation.
This process is expected to further strengthen Uruguay’s positioning and send a clear message to international markets: a reliable origin that combines quality, scale, low risk, and responsible production.
A journey just beginning, and we are staying on track.
Photos courtesy: Preferred by Nature
About Preferred by Nature's Certification Services
Preferred by Nature provides independent auditing, certification, validation and verification services that support responsible business practices and sustainable supply chains, including Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) verification.
Learn more: preferredbynature.org/certification
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