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**Regenerative Is Everywhere. Definition Pending.**

3h ago · 5 sources · trend

Regenerative agriculture is having a boardroom moment.

According to recent reporting, 68 of the top 100 food companies say they have a regenerative agriculture strategy. One catch. There is no true standard or definition of regenerative farming.

Still, the acreage is real. More than 22 million acres worldwide have met Regenerative Organic Certification standards since 2017. Brands are moving from slide decks to soil.

Häagen-Dazs is a case in point. The brand sources milk and cream for its Arras site from around 300 farms. Through General Mills, it is working with dairy cooperative Prospérité Fermière Ingredia on regenerative agriculture and decarbonisation programmes. General Mills has brought together 48 farms linked to the Arras facility. Early results show a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with the wider cooperative.

Zoom out. Food is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels. It drives about one third of total GHG emissions, including 50% of methane produced.

Retail demand is pulling too. In the US, sustainability-marketed products account for 25.4% of CPG dollar share, up 1.6% year over year.

Now the tension. Inflationary pressures are pushing shoppers to prioritise price over sustainability. Consumer demand for regenerative is still limited.

Why it matters. Regenerative is shifting from marketing story to supply chain strategy. The brands that win will tie soil health to Scope 3 and cost control, not just a logo on pack. The definition may be fuzzy. The direction of travel is not.

Key facts

  • 68 of the world’s top 100 food companies purport to have a regenerative agriculture strategy, but there is no true standard or definition of regenerative farming.
  • More than 22 million acres worldwide have met the Regenerative Organic Certification standards since the certification launched in 2017.
  • In the US, sustainability-marketed products account for 25.4% of CPG dollar share, up 1.6% year over year, according to Circana.
  • Inflationary pressures are pushing shoppers to prioritise price over sustainability, limiting current consumer demand for regenerative agriculture.
  • Häagen-Dazs sources milk and cream for its Arras site from around 300 farms and, through General Mills, is engaged in regenerative agriculture and decarbonisation programmes with dairy cooperative Prospérité Fermière Ingredia.
  • General Mills has brought together 48 local farms as part of its decarbonisation programme linked to Häagen-Dazs’ Arras facility.
  • Early results from the Häagen-Dazs decarbonisation programme show a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with the wider cooperative.
  • Indigo Ag works with manufacturers and farmers on Scope 3 reduction programs, helping rice farmers adopt regenerative practices such as alternate wetting and drying in exchange for a premium for their grain.
  • Kellanova and Walmart partnered with Indigo Ag to encourage adoption of regenerative agriculture practices by rice farmers in Arkansas.
  • Food is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels and is responsible for about a third of total GHG emissions, including half of methane produced.
  • 68 of the top 100
  • 22 million acres
  • 25.4%
  • 1.6%
  • 300 farms
  • 48 farms
  • 12%
  • 50%

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