Heineken UK is to source half of its malted barley from farmers using regenerative agriculture practices by next year.
The brewer has teamed up with maltsters Muntons and Boortmalt, barley merchant Cefetra, and independent agronomists Soil Capital to launch a new regenerative malting barley programme that aims to “make regenerative farming part of mainstream beer production”.
The shift to using regenerative malting barley will extend across the HUK portfolio, including brews such as Heineken, Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti, John Smith’s, Foster’s and Amstel.
The first yield is due to be harvested in 2026, brewed and served to consumers in 2027.
Under the programme, farmers using regenerative practices will be paid a premium for their yields, a move HUK said would reduce the risk of switching farming practices and make the transition commercially viable.
“British malting barley is at the heart of some of the UK’s best-loved beers, so making it more resilient for the future matters,” said Sonia Thimmiah, corporate affairs director at Heineken UK. “This programme is about working with partners to make regenerative agriculture practical, scalable and commercially viable by strengthening soils and helping farms stay fit for the future.
“It is also an important contribution to Heineken’s global Brew a Better World strategy and aims to protect water and nature as well as reduce carbon emissions.”
Charles Tozer, country manager for UK & Ireland at Boortmalt, added: “This programme shows what can be achieved when brewers, maltsters, merchants, agronomists and farmers work together behind a shared goal.
“By building long-term collaboration across the malting barley supply chain, we can help create the certainty and practical support farmers need to adopt regenerative practices with confidence.”
HUK is not the only brewer seeking to transition to regeneratively grown barley.
Carlsberg Britvic began using regeneratively grown barley malt in Carlsberg Pilsner last year, and the brewer has committed to make all of its brews in the UK with 100% regenerative barley by 2031.
Last year, craft beer brand Jubel announced it was to move to regeneratively farmed barley via a tie-up with Wildfarmed.
Around half of British farmers are already using regenerative farming practices, according to research from Barclays.
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