2 Sisters has backed British farmers with a multimillion-pound investment as it strives to reach net zero by 2035.
The poultry sector giant has redeveloped its chicken feed to replace 23% of imported soyameal with British-grown oilseed rape and beans – purchasing 150,000 tonnes annually from British farmers.
The multinational said the investment would inject £50m into the UK’s agricultural economy, strengthen food security and further reduce its carbon emissions by almost 670,000 tonnes.
2 Sisters has also extended its deforestation-free commitment, which is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of soyameal in its chicken feed by up to 70% from July 2026.
“This is a transformation moment for British poultry,” said 2 Sisters group director of quality, sustainability and agriculture Kate Stein. “By going beyond deforestation-free standards and backing British farmers, we’re making a meaningful commitment to both the environment and animal welfare – building a sustainable, resilient food system for the future as part of our NextGen Strategy.”
With the group a signatory of the Better Chicken Commitment, Compassion in World Farming global CEO Philip Lymbery said 2 Sisters showed “higher welfare and sustainability can go hand in hand”.
“This demonstrates truly disruptive leadership, showing it is possible to make significant progress with speed,” Lymbery added, with Co-op also praising the development.
“British farmers are the backbone of the domestic food supply chain and, as an industry, it is imperative we build its resilience, alongside global supply chains, to maximise sustainability for now and the future,” Co-op Food group MD Matt Hood said.
It comes as the business has reported strong performance for the 2025 financial year with turnover increasing by 8.5% to £2.4bn in the year to 26 July 2025.
The turnover improvement was driven by strong demand for products and an increased proportion of higher-welfare sales in UK poultry.
Pre-tax profit leaped £72.8m to £108.3m, courtesy of the UK poultry business and a £53.2m gain on the disposal of European operations.
Apart from labour costs, the business said inflation in its main cost components had slowed prior to the Iran war. Net debt also fell 43% to £276.4m.
Ranjit Singh, president of 2 Sisters Food Group, attributed the success to group’s Next Generation strategy, launched in October 2024 which committed to invest more than £1.7bn in sustainability and welfare by 2035.
In the year the business achieved 80% of poultry sales reared to higher welfare standards, £2m raised through the Boparan Charitable Trust, 1.9 million servings of food donated through FareShare, and more than £150,000 donated to GroceryAid.
“Our clear vision for the future and strategic priorities – operating responsibly and leaving a legacy of a better business and a better world for the next generation – is underpinned by relentless focus on doing the basics brilliantly and being consistent in the way we operate while maintaining discipline in delivering for our customers and stakeholders,” Singh continued.
He added: “We remain committed to investing in our factories and utilising advanced technologies, helping to grow our core business while supporting our sustainability ambitions.”
‘Cautiously optimistic’
Despite the high-flying results, the group acknowledged wars in Iran, Ukraine, geopolitical instability, as well as policy and regulatory changes, could make for a turbulent 2026.
Turning to the UK, 2 Sisters said limited farm space and food security highlighted the need to “address planning issues”.
The group, nonetheless, said it was “cautiously optimistic” and noted chicken stood to benefit from longer-term consumer trends including healthier diets and higher‑protein food choices. It also said cost of living pressures would result in an increased preference for meals prepared at home.
2 Sisters Food Group CFO Paul Friston added: “Our strengthened financial position, with the group’s leverage ratio dropping to a new historic low and increasing cash generation, means that we are well-placed to push on with our NextGen ambitions, continue investing in UK food security and developing our business whilst further reducing leverage in FY26 and beyond.”
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