E-Malt.com News article: France: Soufflet Malt and Heineken announce partnership to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture

Soufflet Malt and HEINEKEN announced on February 23 a multi-year partnership to accelerate the large-scale deployment of regenerative agriculture among French farmers producing malting barley, as well as rapeseed, sunflower, corn and wheat.

By 2025, 15,000 tonnes of barley had been produced for HEINEKEN using regenerative agriculture methods and protocols. In 2026, this figure is expected to reach 30,000 tonnes.

This partnership marks a significant step forward for the brewing industry by supporting decarbonisation, strengthening soil resilience and promoting improved biodiversity and water quality in agriculture.

As part of this partnership, Soufflet Malt is working closely with its long-standing supplier, Soufflet Agriculture, through its “Performance” regenerative agriculture programme. The strong, agronomic expertise of both organisations ensures the successful transition to regenerative barley farming in France.

This programme forms part of Soufflet Malt’s sustainability roadmap to 2030 and contributes to reducing barley’s carbon footprint.

Jorge Solis, CEO of Soufflet Malt, said: "We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with HEINEKEN, a leading player with whom we share a common ambition: to accelerate the transition to sustainable, innovative and differentiating agriculture.”

“By combining our expertise and complementary visions for sustainable agriculture, we aim to set new standards and deliver a positive impact on the climate.”

“What sets us apart is the way we work with farmers and Soufflet Agriculture, not only as suppliers but also as partners on the issue of soil resilience. Together with HEINEKEN, we are advancing French barley production that lowers emissions, protects ecosystems and reinforces our partnerships with farming communities.”

For HEINEKEN, this partnership is a decisive step in advancing its climate ambitions, with the intention to scale the initiative across its key sourcing markets and speed up the transition to regenerative farming.

Hervé le Faou, Global Purchasing Director at HEINEKEN, said: "For HEINEKEN, regenerative agriculture is currently one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of our business in agricultural value chain, as it focusses particularly on emissions linked to barley cultivation, the main ingredient in our premium beers. By strengthening the resilience and sustainability of our barley supply, we are protecting the longevity of the sector. This approach combines environmental impact, supply security and economic viability. In France, together with Soufflet Malt and Soufflet Agriculture, we have developed a robust model built on clearly defined performance indicators, measured annually across priority areas, combined with tailored support for farmers according to their level of maturity.”

Faced with climate pressures, the vulnerability of French agricultural sectors and the urgent need to preserve and restore soils, stakeholders across the value chain share a clear responsibility: to accelerate the transition to more resilient, efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural models.

For farmers producing malting barley, the deployment of regenerative agricultural practices lead to improved soil fertility, better water retention, enhanced biodiversity and resilience to climate change.

Thanks to this partnership, farmers will benefit from structured agronomic support and monitoring
to ensure the rigorous implementation of regenerative practices. This support includes:

• farm diagnostics,
• annual monitoring of indicators (carbon, water, biodiversity, soil health),
• an incentive-based remuneration system that rewards the most responsible practices and gives farmers the means to transform their farms while securing their income.

This ambitious model supports multiple crops within farm rotations, which allows other buyers the opportunity to contribute. For Soufflet Malt and HEINEKEN, strengthening the economic viability of farms and empowering farmers to drive the transition to regenerative agriculture at scale is a shared priority.

Nearly 100 farmers are already participating across three key regions: Grand Est, Bourgogne and
Centre, positioning France as a leading market for the project.


03 March, 2026