Heineken UK has announced the launch of a regenerative malting barley programme.
Working in partnership with maltsters Muntons and Boortmalt, barley merchants Cefetra, and independent agronomists Soil Capital, farmers will be encouraged to adopt regenerative agriculture practices at scale.
Farmers will receive a direct premium on regenerative barley yields, helping to reduce the risk of changing farming practices and making the transition commercially viable. Heineken says this approach, combined with the scale of the programme, sets it apart from other regenerative agriculture malting barley initiatives in the UK to date.
In 2027, based on volume forecasts, Heineken UK expects almost half of its supply will be grown through regenerative agriculture practices, marking a major step in the company’s move to support the transition and make regenerative farming part of mainstream beer production.
The shift to using regenerative malting barley will extend across its portfolio, including 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.
The company says the initiative brings Heineken UK together with strategic suppliers Muntons and Boortmalt, aiming to deliver practical benefits for farmers including financial incentives, agronomic support and multi-year certainty. This helps to reduce the cost and risk of transitioning to more regenerative practices while fortifying the long-term viability of their businesses. By combining multi-year commitments with practical on-farm support, the programme is designed to make the transition commercially viable for growers, not just environmentally beneficial.
Sonia Thimmiah, Heineken UK corporate affairs director, said: “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. 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.”
