McCormick Strengths Supply With Sustainable Investments

McCormick, global leader in flavour manufacturing and distribution, has released its 2025 Purpose-led Performance (PLP) Report, marking the completion of its 2025 commitments and highlighting measurable progress across responsible sourcing, climate action, operational resilience and employee wellbeing.

Since its founding in 1889, McCormick has grown from a small Baltimore spice company into a global leader. The company is guided by its purpose to "make life more flavorful" and its vision to be the world's most trusted source of flavour.

Embedding sustainability

McCormick is increasingly embedding sustainability into its strategy and operations, reinforcing accountability, protecting brand trust and supporting long-term growth.

Completing its 2025 PLP goals, the company has achieved 100% sustainably sourced volumes for its top five iconic ingredients (black pepper, cinnamon, oregano, red pepper and vanilla), as well as clove and sage, enhancing its supply reliability and quality consistency.

McCormick has also been investing in farming communities to build resilience and secure long-term access to ingredients. At the same time, reducing environmental impact across its operations and value chain to drive efficiency.

Brendan M. Foley, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of McCormick & Company, says: "In a year marked by continued change and global complexity, I am proud of the meaningful progress we have made in advancing our Purpose-led Performance commitments.

"Our teams have remained focused and resilient, strengthening how we operate while delivering lasting value for our people, communities, and the planet."

Kathy Rostkowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at McCormick & Company, adds: "As I've stepped into the role of Chief Sustainability Officer, I am proud to build on the strong foundation we have established.

"We are closing out our 2025 PLP commitments with encouraging progress and a clear view of where to go next.

"We are demonstrating that trust is earned when sustainability is practised, not promised."

Sustainable supply chain and sourcing

Farming 

Through the company’s ‘Grown for good’ certification (launched in 2019), McCormick has actively collaborated with suppliers across 23 commodities in 11 countries to build farmer resilience and provide climate-smart agricultural training.

The company has impacted more than 57,000 farmers to strengthen livelihoods and resilience in key sourcing regions. 

In 2024, the company launched programmes with nearly 100 US farmers; these programmes abated approximately 50,000 metric tons (MT) of CO₂e and placed nearly 60,000 acres into regenerative practices, advancing its transition toward a more regenerative food system.

Human rights

Aligning with the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines, McCormick completed a comprehensive risk assessment covering 100% of its global agricultural spend, integrating human rights, environmental and governance risk indicators directly into its procurement governance model.

In-depth, on-the-ground participatory impact assessments were conducted in eight priority countries to inform targeted supplier engagement and develop tailored action plans for responsible labour and environmental practices.

Supplier engagement

McCormick reduced its Scope 3 GHG emissions by 9% in 2025 and is on track to reach its target of 40% absolute reduction by 2030 (measured against a 202 baseline). 

The company has also achieved a near 90% response rate from more than 100 suppliers (representing over half of its Scope 3 emissions).

Enhancing this primary data helps its procurement team to understand and report value chain emissions better. 

McCormick is also working on capabilities to map out and understand the specific emission factors of raw materials. 

Circularity

In 2025, McCormick sustained 80% circular packaging for a second consecutive year, aiming for 100% by 2030.

The company has also increased its PCR materials usage to 6% of total plastic packaging (up from 3% in the year prior).

In the EMEA region, McCormick’s procurement and supply chain teams invested in sachet production line modifications to adapt to changing sustainability regulations and test longer-term circular formats.