Founded in Brazil in 1997, FARM Rio (now a part of Grupo SOMA) is known for its vibrant prints, joyful energy, and celebration of Brazilian culture. In recent years, it has also positioned itself as a brand with strong environmental and social values.
“We plant 1,000 trees a day, every day.” That’s not just a catchy slogan, it’s a core part of FARM Rio’s sustainability strategy. But sustainability is more than tree planting and good intentions. How deep does the brand’s commitment to sustainability really go? Let’s take a closer look at FARM Rio’s performance.
Key Takeaways
- Transparency: FARM Rio is B Corp certified, publishes annual sustainability reports, and participates in Open Supply Hub, listing its Tier 1 suppliers. It uses SMETA audits and has a Supplier Code of Conduct and Animal Welfare Handbook. However, some data seems to be outdated.
- Workers: FARM Rio has a strong Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) strategy. It partners with local Brazilian communities and offers above-minimum wages for corporate staff. Wage transparency for factory workers is missing.
- Environment: FARM Rio has ambitious Net Zero goals (Scopes 1 & 2 by 2030, Scope 3 by 2050), offsets emissions through tree planting and carbon credits, and supports reforestation across all Brazilian biomes. However, 74% of materials used are synthetic, and circular design is not clearly integrated.
- Quality and Craftsmanship: Customers often praise FARM Rio’s unique designs and premium feel, but heavy reliance on synthetic fabrics raises concerns about sustainability, long-term wear, and whether the premium pricing is really worth it.
Transparency
FARM Rio achieved B Corp certification in 2023, a strong indicator of its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. This certification evaluates companies across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers, and FARM Rio passed with flying colors.
The brand also publishes annual sustainability reports. However, the most recent available report is from 2023 (the site refers to 2024, but the link takes you to the 2023 one), which means some of the data may no longer accurately reflect current practices.
On the supply chain front, FARM Rio is a member of Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) and uses SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit standards) 4-Pillar audits for its Tier 1 suppliers. These audits cover labor standards, health and safety, environmental performance, and business ethics. The brand also participates in the Open Supply Hub, publicly listing its Tier 1 suppliers, a major step toward transparency.
FARM Rio has a Supplier Code of Conduct and an Animal Welfare Handbook, both publicly available. All suppliers must meet Grupo SOMA’s social and environmental compliance standards and are subject to regular audits.
Still, there’s room for improvement. While FARM Rio is transparent about its Tier 1 suppliers, there’s limited visibility into deeper tiers of the supply chain. And while the brand talks about circularity, there’s little detail on how circular design principles are integrated into product development. There’s also no mention of designing for disassembly, mono-material construction, or take-back programs beyond resale.
Workers
As a Brazilian brand, FARM Rio has a unique opportunity to support local communities, and it’s doing just that. The company has made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a central part of its strategy since 2021, with a dedicated DEI team and a public action plan.
Key achievements include:
- 51.9% of employees are Black or Indigenous people
- 92.3% of employees are women
- The RE-FARM Cria initiative, which funds youth-led creative projects across Brazil
FARM Rio also offers a wide range of employee benefits, including extended parental leave, health plans, and training programs. Occupational health and safety are taken seriously, with regular audits, training, and risk assessments.
However, there are some gaps. While the brand reports that corporate and operations staff earn above the minimum wage, there’s no clear data on wages for factory workers or subcontractors. We only know that the Supplier Code of Conduct states that “all Company’s Suppliers shall promote policies on incomes and wages that ensure all employees a fair and reasonable payment.” And while FARM Rio conducts several audits, it’s unclear how many result in corrective action or long-term improvements.
Environment
FARM Rio’s environmental strategy is ambitious and multifaceted. The brand has committed to Net Zero emissions for scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, and scope 3 by 2050. It follows the GHG Protocol, reports emissions annually, and has set Science-Based Targets.
FARM Rio offsets 100% of its emissions through the “We plant 1,000 trees a day, every day” reforestation project (seems like the slogan is much more than that, right?) and the purchase of carbon credits. It also actively invests in carbon removal projects. The brand has also partnered with One Tree Planted, SOS Mata Atlântica, and others.
While these efforts are impressive, especially the focus on agroforestry systems, which support both biodiversity and local livelihoods, the brand’s material mix tells a different story. In 2023:
- 74% of materials used were non-renewable, including polyester, nylon, and polyurethane
- Only 26% were renewable, such as cotton, viscose, and linen
- Certified materials made up just 5–24%of seasonal collections
While FARM Rio uses LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose, it doesn’t disclose how much. And despite its talk of circularity, there’s no clear strategy for circular product design or end-of-life solutions beyond resale and upcycling.
When it comes to packaging, it’s mostly paper and cardboard (99%), and fully offset through eureciclo (a Brazilian company specializing in reverse logistics and waste management services). Waste is monitored monthly, and partnerships with Muda Workshop (a multi-brand upcycling fashion company) and Enjoei (a Brazilian circular fashion marketplace) help extend product life.
Quality and Craftsmanship
FARM Rio is known for its vibrant prints, bold silhouettes, and joyful aesthetic. The brand draws inspiration from Brazilian culture, nature, and street art, and it shows in every piece.
In terms of product quality, FARM Rio emphasizes craftsmanship and style. The brand conducts product testing (for shrinkage, colorfastness, strength, etc.), and customers often praise the unique designs and premium feel, which helps justify the brand’s higher price point.
However, there are some caveats: many of FARM Rio’s garments feature synthetic fabrics rather than natural fibers. This raises (very valid) concerns about sustainability, long-term wear, and whether the premium pricing is really worth it.
Final Thoughts: On the Right Track
FARM Rio is a brand with big ambitions and a strong sense of purpose. From its B Corp certification and reforestation efforts to its DEI strategy and community partnerships, it’s clear that sustainability is more than a marketing buzzword.
But there are also real challenges. The brand still relies heavily on synthetic materials, and its circularity claims are not fully backed by product design strategies. Wage transparency and supply chain depth could also be improved.
That said, FARM Rio is moving in the right direction, and doing so with transparency, creativity, and a deep respect for Brazilian culture and biodiversity.
FARM Rio “ON THE RIGHT TRACK” *
*Here is more information on how The Pomelade rates.
Now that you know our verdict, what do you think of FARM Rio? Have you ever bought from the brand? Let us know in the comments below!