Heineken collaboration accelerates sustainable barley production

Soufflet Malt and Heineken have teamed up to help French barley farmers shift to more resilient, regenerative ways of growing. At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition: healthier soils, richer biodiversity and farming systems that can stand strong through changing climate conditions.

The collaboration links Soufflet Agriculture’s field expertise and our agronomy teams with Heineken’s sustainability commitments to bring practical, field-ready advice and tailored training to support the transition.

From choosing the right rotations to improving soil cover and managing fertiliser more efficiently, around 60 farmers receive hands-on support to adopt regenerative practices that fit their land and their reality.

A two-tiered incentive scheme recognises the crucial role farmers play in the value chain, with incentives for transitioning and advanced farmers linked to environmental progress.

For Heineken, we are piloting regenerative agriculture projects to help reduce the environmental impact of our agricultural value chain, particularly in barley cultivation, a key ingredient in our premium beers. By supporting farmers in adopting these practices, we aim to improve soil health, optimise the use of inputs such as fertilisers, and support more stable and sustainable barley production over time. Our partnership with Soufflet Malt provides farmers with agronomic expertise and practical support to implement these approaches at scale.”

Alberto
Maynez Gutierrez