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Constellation Brands is to invest an additional $100 million over the next five years to support farmers in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, as the company seeks to strengthen the domestic agricultural supply chain underpinning its beer business.

The investment will include increased purchases from US farmers and initiatives aimed at improving the resilience and long-term sustainability of farming operations in the three states.

Constellation, whose beer portfolio includes Corona Extra, Modelo Especial and Pacifico, said the programme comes as US growers face mounting pressure from declining acreage, changing demand, higher input costs and weather-related challenges.

Barley, corn and hops are critical raw materials for the US brewing industry, supporting a supply chain spanning farmers, maltsters, brewers, distributors, retailers and logistics providers.

As part of the programme, Constellation will establish Constellation’s Farmers Future, a grower-led advisory committee bringing together farmers, trade organisations and community leaders.

The committee will help identify opportunities for investment in agricultural resilience and the domestic supply chain, with areas of focus including farm resilience, market access, sustainability and the economic vitality of farming communities.

Nicholas Fink, president and CEO of Constellation Brands, said US barley, corn and hops farmers were “foundational to our business”.

“Their work supports communities, drives economic activity across the supply chain, and makes it possible for our products to reach consumers across the country,” he said.

Fink added that the company had “deep respect” for growers following several challenging years for US agriculture and remained committed to supporting the farming communities on which its business depends.

The new commitment comes on top of more than $750 million that Constellation said it already invests annually with American farmers and suppliers.

The company purchases approximately 80% of all US barley exports, underlining the importance of domestic grain production to its beer operations.

Across its wider US operations, Constellation said it invests more than $4.2 billion annually through employee wages, capital expenditure and US taxes, while supporting more than 100,000 American jobs across its supply chain.

The company said the additional investment would be developed in partnership with growers and agricultural organisations, with the aim of creating stronger markets and greater resilience for producers.

Idaho, Montana and North Dakota are significant agricultural states, with barley production playing an important role in their rural economies.

Idaho Governor Brad Little welcomed the investment, saying the state was proud to be one of the country's leading barley producers and that the partnership recognised the contribution of growers to the state and wider US economy.

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong described the state's barley industry as having a “long and proud history” and said the investment would help farmers continue contributing to the US beverage industry.

Agricultural groups also welcomed the commitment. The Idaho Barley Commission, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and North Dakota Barley Council said strong markets and committed end users were critical to the future of US barley production.

The Montana Grain Growers similarly highlighted the importance of investment that expands opportunities for US-grown barley and strengthens rural communities.

Constellation said its latest commitment reflects its broader position as an agriculture-based company and its aim to operate sustainably while investing in the communities connected to its business.