Commitments

Chicchi di riso
Chicchi di riso

Our approach


At Riso Gallo, our commitment is reflected in the way we work across the entire value chain from agriculture to production.

We focus on responsible sourcing, continuous improvement of our processes and close collaboration with farmers and partners. Rice cultivation is naturally linked to circular processes, where many by-products can be reused. Building on this, our approach starts directly in the field, with the aim of supporting agricultural practices and product quality over time.

Responsible sourcing and agriculture

We collaborate with a network of farmers to promote responsible farming practices and support long-term agricultural development.

In Italy, this commitment is implemented through the application of our certified internal protocol Carta del Riso, and through the FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) international standard developed by SAI Platform independently verified by an independent third-party body. The initiative involves a growing network of Italian rice farms (currently more than 200) working according to defined agronomic, technical and environmental guidelines.

The Carta del Riso protocol based on eight rules, include and guarantee:

· The farm verification according to the FSA standard of SAI Platform.
· The utilization of best agronomic practices aimed at preserving soil fertility and biodiversity (for example: rice straw and crop residues incorporation, use of cover crops, use of organic fertilizer).
· the use of certified rice seeds
· the exclusion of specific substances and practices not aligned with the protocol (soil incorporation of sewage sludge, the use of glyphosate directly on the rice plant)

Through agronomic and technical support and training on quality safety and certification coverage, we work alongside the farmers Riso Gallo community to support the adoption of these practices.

An international approach

Our sourcing model also includes international rice varieties, such as Basmati, which obviously cannot be cultivated in Italy due to climatic conditions.

For these kind of varieties, we guarantee the supply from countries of origin such as India and Pakistan and ensure its integrity throughout the entire process up to the final packaging through the certification of the international standard SRP (Sustainable Rice Platform), developed in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), with verification carried out by authorized independent third party.

This approach supports measurable improvements in the place of origin, including:

up to 50%

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

up to 20%

reduction in water use

up to 10%

increase in farmers’ income

Gallo 4 Farmers

Gallo 4 Farmers is a digital platform developed for rice farms within the Riso Gallo farming community.

Riso Gallo is firmly convinced that digital technologies can play a key role in supporting rice cultivation, both in terms of optimising production inputs and therefore related costs and yields and in helping to improve the efficiency of agricultural operations.

For these reasons, Riso Gallo has developed Gallo 4 Farmers, a digital platform specifically designed for rice cultivation. Developed in exclusive collaboration with xFarm Technologies, Gallo 4 Farmers is a comprehensive tool that enables farm management, provides information and tools for a more efficient use of agricultural inputs, and supports the quantification of emissions such as the carbon footprint generated by rice cultivation.

Since 2024, Riso Gallo has been actively working to increase the adoption of Gallo 4 Farmers within its farming network, supporting farms through dedicated training and assistance.

Through the use of the platform, Riso Gallo is able to quantify emission data generated during the cultivation phase. This analysis helps identify the main drivers affecting environmental impact and supports the identification of agronomic and technological solutions that can contribute to its reduction.

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Water management – field-based research by Riso Gallo

Water is a fundamental and essential element for rice cultivation, both for the physiological needs of the plant (growth requirements and temperature regulation) and for its environmental role in supporting biodiversity within rice-growing landscapes.

Ongoing climate change, together with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, requires a more efficient and rational use of water resources, comparable to other agricultural inputs.

Over recent years, Riso Gallo has conducted a series of field trials in selected farms within its supply chain, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Milan, to evaluate the role of continuous flooding in methane emissions from rice fields.

Among these studies, it was observed that introducing a temporary interruption of flooding during the middle stage of the crop cycle can significantly reduce methane emissions (calculated using scientifically validated mathematical models), without compromising final yield or rice quality.

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Certified rice value chains

A proportion of our rice is sourced from value chains certified according to our internal “Carta del Riso” protocol and verified by an independent third-party organization. Riso Gallo manages a Community of more than 200 Italian rice farms verified according to the international FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) standard by an independent third-party organization.

What is certified

The certification applies to rice produced by farms within the Riso Gallo Community in compliance with the rules set out in the “Carta del Riso” protocol. It covers aspects related to field cultivation (best practices for soil fertility, use of certified rice seeds, avoid use of sewage sludge and spraying Glyphosate directly on crop) as well as on-farm drying and storage. It also includes the subsequent stages of industrial processing until the packaging of the final product, ensuring full traceability along the chain of custody. Compliance with the rules of the “Carta del Riso” and the maintenance of the chain of custody are verified by an independent third-party organization.

What is not certified

The certification does not cover all stages of the overall supply chain. It does not include transport activities between farms and processing facilities, nor does it apply to packaging materials or packaging production processes.

It also does not extend beyond the defined production and processing stages included within the “Carta del Riso” protocol.

Certification Details Block:

“Carta del Riso” protocol: certified by Control Union

FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) Standard: verified by Control Union

Coverage and methodology

The share of rice sourced from certified value chains is calculated on a volumes basis.

Coverage: 77.8%
Current as of: [03/2026]

The percentage is calculated as the volume of certified rice purchased during the relevant period divided by the total volume of rice purchased in the same period.

The reported figure relates to the sourcing programme overall and not necessarily to each individual product unit.

Product scope

The claim “from a certified rice value chain” is used on selected product lines.

· TRADITIONAL 500g
· ARBORIO 1Kg
· ARBORIO 500g
· CARNAROLI 500g
· GALLONERO DFQ 500g
· GALLOROSSO ESTERO DFQ 500g
· GALLO LONG GRAIN RICE SUSTAINABLE 900g

The coverage percentage refers to the sourcing programme as a whole and may not apply equally to each individual SKU.

A list of the product lines included in the programme is available via the QR code on pack.

Inclusions and exclusions

Certain rice varieties or product categories may be excluded from the coverage calculation.

Where applicable, excluded categories are identified in the supporting documentation. Future updates may result in changes to the reported percentage.

FSA performance level of rice farm included in Riso Gallo Farm Management Group

Traceability and segregation

Certified rice used for relevant product lines is managed through a physical segregation model.

This means that certified rice is kept separate from non-certified rice starting from farm intake through industrial processing until final packaging, supporting traceability and full product integrity.

Governance and updates

Riso Gallo maintains an internal governance process to ensure that information relating to certified sourcing is regularly reviewed and updated.

· data is reviewed at each certification cycle and at least on a quarterly basis
· updates are made in case of changes to certification status
· previous figures are archived and tracked over time
· the next planned review date is: 06/2026

OPERATIONS

Energy efficiency

We adopt solutions aimed at improving energy efficiency across our operations:

· continuous monitoring of energy consumption
· replacement of lighting systems with high-efficiency LED technology
· optimisation of compressed air distribution systems
· installation of low energy consumption compressors
· use of high-efficiency cogeneration systems, enabling heat recovery and reduction of energy waste

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Renewable energy

We use electricity from renewable sources and produce energy through on-site systems.

· 100% of the electricity purchased by Riso Gallo comes from renewable sources
· additional energy needs are partially covered by on-site photovoltaic systems
· since 2023, solar panels have been in operation, covering approximately 28% of the energy needs of the packaging plant
· surplus energy generated during non-operational periods is fed back into the grid

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Packaging

We are committed to reducing the impact of packaging while ensuring product protection and quality.

Since 2018, we have progressively reduced the amount of packaging used by:

· optimising carton dimensions
· reducing plastic film thickness where possible
· improving efficiency without compromising product preservation

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