Ferrero is using satellite monitoring technology to improve visibility across its cocoa, palm oil and coffee supply chains, helping the company strengthen traceability, identify environmental risks and support responsible sourcing. Developed with Airbus and the Earthworm Foundation, the Starling platform combines satellite imagery with on-the-ground engagement to monitor more than 230,000 plantations.
Ferrero is using the Starling satellite monitoring platform to gain greater visibility into the forests, farms and communities that produce key ingredients used across its portfolio, including cocoa, palm oil and coffee.
The company said the technology supports its long-standing Sacco Conosciuto (“known bag”) approach, which focuses on knowing where ingredients come from and how they are produced. As supply chains have become increasingly complex, satellite monitoring provides additional insight into sourcing regions spanning some of the world’s most important ecosystems.
Developed by Airbus and the Earthworm Foundation, Starling uses satellite imagery and geospatial data to help identify environmental risks, including deforestation, across agricultural supply chains.
Ferrero said the platform enables it to monitor forests, agricultural land and surrounding communities while providing greater transparency across sourcing operations.
The technology supports monitoring of cocoa, palm oil and coffee supply chains, helping the company assess environmental risks and strengthen traceability.
Ferrero said satellite monitoring is combined with local knowledge to support informed decision-making.
The company works with technology specialists, analysts and local partners to interpret satellite data and translate insights into practical actions. These activities can include engaging directly with suppliers, working alongside local partners and conducting field visits to better understand agricultural practices and local conditions.
By combining satellite imagery with on-the-ground expertise, Ferrero said it can build a clearer understanding of how sourcing landscapes are evolving and make more informed decisions across its supply chain.
According to Ferrero, Starling currently maps and monitors around 230,000 plantations across its cocoa, palm oil and coffee supply chains.
“Thanks to this technology, we are able to deploy monitoring across farms and plantations in our supply chains, at scale. Today, Starling allows us to map and monitor around 230,000 plantations across three commodities – cocoa, palm oil and coffee – in line with EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements,” said Nicola Somenzi, Head of Responsible Sourcing at Ferrero.
Ferrero said the satellite platform provides greater visibility into agricultural landscapes while supporting responsible sourcing and environmental risk management.
The company uses Starling to assess sourcing risks, improve traceability and guide engagement with suppliers and local partners responsible for producing key agricultural commodities.
By combining satellite technology with field-based collaboration, Ferrero aims to strengthen oversight of its ingredient supply chains while supporting sustainable sourcing practices across cocoa, palm oil and coffee production.
