As well as managing its own plantations, Suzano Pulp and Paper sources wood from local producers (outgrowers). The company’s largest mill is in Mucuri, in Bahia state in southeast Brazil, and 424 producers from the region participate in its outgrowing programme. Together, they are responsible for 59,000 hectares of planted forests, and supply nearly a quarter of the wood used at the mill.
Growing trees provides employment and a stable income for farmers. In 2011, the plantations generated as much as four times more income per hectare than other activities, like cattle ranching and small-scale agriculture.
In 2009, Suzano started an outgrowers certification programme to ensure good forest management from its partners. The programme was a success, but the cost of certifying a single property proved to be very high, especially for smallholders. So in 2011, the company set up a voluntary group certification programme to make the process easier and more financially feasible for small and medium-sized producers.
