McCain leads in sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture

With potato power comes responsibility – McCain is embracing this mantra as it pioneers in sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture. McCain, a global frontrunner in producing frozen French fries and hash browns, is known worldwide, with its products reaching over 160 countries and generating revenues beyond US$10.4 billion annually.

Remarkably, 25% of all frozen potato products globally come from McCain, making one in every four fries a McCain product. The company, harvesting around 6.8 million tonnes of potatoes each year, is deeply committed to its environmental responsibilities.

Despite potatoes having the lowest carbon footprint among agricultural foods, their intensive cultivation has led to significant environmental challenges. McCain is confronting these issues head-on, championing a nature-based sustainable farming approach aimed at ecosystem restoration and emission reduction.

This innovative strategy now covers 51% of McCain’s global potato acreage, marking significant strides towards their 2030 ambition of 100% regenerative agriculture, as detailed in their latest Global Sustainability Report.

Max Koeune, President and CEO of McCain Foods, underscores the company’s mission to enhance the sustainability and resilience of food and agricultural systems through regenerative practices.

McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework is at the forefront of this mission, focusing on farm resilience, crop yield and quality by enhancing soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. Among its objectives, McCain aims to lower Scope 3 CO2 emissions and improve water-use efficiency in water-stressed regions by 2025.

Central to McCain’s approach is its collaboration with a global network of 3,500 farming partners, offering support, education, and innovative financial solutions to facilitate the adoption of new technologies. Recent partnerships with institutions like Rabobank and Farm Credit Canada exemplify McCain’s commitment to collaborative progress in sustainable farming.

The Farms of the Future initiative is a key element of McCain’s strategy, with operational farms in Arica and Canada trialling regenerative practices. These farms are already achieving significant milestones, including improved water-use efficiency and extensive farmer training programmes.

By 2025, McCain plans to expand this initiative, further demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture.

Max Koeune emphasises the localised, nature-based solutions that these farms represent, highlighting their potential to revolutionize soil health, water management, and biodiversity while remaining economically viable.

Key achievements in McCain’s journey towards sustainable farming in 2023 include:

• 51% of McCain’s acreage adopting the Regenerative Agriculture Framework, with 28% actively engaged in regenerative practices.

• The launch of the US$1 million Future of Farming Fund in collaboration with McDonald’s Canada.

• Completion of the first full year at the Farm of the Future Africa.

• Delivery of 23,500 hours of training to growers.

For further insights into McCain’s sustainable farming efforts and progress, read their 2023 Sustainability Report.