Carlsberg to expand regenerative barley use across certain brands

Carlsberg Group has unveiled plans to expand regenerative barley usage across its brands in the UK, Finland and France.

The plans form part of the Group’s new ‘Zero Farming Footprint’ ambition where it has committed to sourcing 30% of all agricultural raw materials from regenerative practices and sustainable sources globally by 2030.

Within its goal, the beer giant aims to “promote biodiversity, restore soil health and support natural carbon capture”.

UK-based Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has committed to 100% regenerative barley for Carlsberg Danish Pilsner by 2027, and for all UK brands by 2031.

CMBC and ADM have contracted the initial 23 farmers to grow an estimated 7,000 tonnes of regenerative barley during 2023. Jonathan Lane, managing director UK at ADM, said: “ADM is delighted to be supporting this exciting project as further evidence of how we work with farmers, here in the UK and around the world, to expand regenerative agriculture as part of our collective endeavour to reduce carbon and make our food system more sustainable”.

Partner farmers in Finland are supplying regenerative barley to Sinebrychoff, a Carlsberg Group company. Meanwhile, in France, 45 partner farmers of Kronenbourg SAS are supplying traceable ‘Responsible Barley’. The brand has also committed to using this for 100% of the barley in its Blonde brews by 2026.

The aim is that, by 2026, Kronenbourg 1664 Blonde will be brewed with 100% barley malt sourced from this new agricultural value chain, with 250 partner farmers producing 5,000 hectares of responsibly sourced barley that is traceable using blockchain technology.

Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, senior director of Sustainability & ESG for Carlsberg Group, said: ”We cannot reach our targets alone. Partnerships are vital across the value chain, which is why we are collaborating closely with local farmers, traders, maltsters, agronomists and NGOs who provide expertise in the transition to regeneratively grown barley.”

He added: “Over time this will allow us to offer our consumers and customers lower-carbon beers and contribute to improving the ecosystems we rely on. We will cooperate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that we as a company and our industry as a whole, strive towards a Zero Farming Footprint.”