How Carlsberg is Advancing Regenerative Farming

Carlsberg is making strides in sustainable procurement by supporting regenerative farming in Denmark, its birthplace.

In a landmark partnership, the global brewer has teamed up with agricultural cooperative DLG and malting company Viking Malt to source Danish malt barley grown through regenerative methods.

This move forms part of Carlsberg’s ambitious goal to procure all raw materials regeneratively by 2040.

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity and improving water cycles while maintaining strong crop yields. These practices aim to make farming more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Carlsberg’s barley farmers are adopting methods such as minimal tillage (reducing soil disturbance from ploughing), ensuring soil cover for 95% of the year, rotating at least three crops over five harvests and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

In Denmark, Carlsberg has already seen success. Its first harvest under this initiative yielded barley from 100 hectares across two farms on Zealand, the island home to Copenhagen. This crop is expected to produce around 500 tonnes of malt—enough to brew approximately 3.3 million litres of beer, which is more than half of Belgium’s annual beer consumption.

Some of this barley will be used to craft a special edition beer made entirely from regeneratively grown ingredients, set for a limited release in 2025. The rest will be blended into Carlsberg Pilsner, gradually transitioning this flagship product to 100% regenerative ingredients in the coming years.

Why regenerative farming matters to Carlsberg

For Carlsberg, adopting regenerative agriculture is both an environmental and strategic priority.

According to Peter Haahr Nielsen, CEO of Carlsberg Denmark, farming currently accounts for 24% of the company’s Danish carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions.

“We see great potential in converting to regenerative agriculture to reduce our CO2e emissions and to contribute positively to biodiversity,” he explains.

This effort aligns with Carlsberg’s global sustainability strategy, Together Towards ZERO and Beyond, which has already introduced regeneratively-sourced products in markets like the UK, France and Finland. Expanding these practices to Denmark marks a significant milestone, reflecting Carlsberg’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its core operations.

Overcoming challenges through collaboration

Despite its benefits, the transition to regenerative agriculture comes with challenges.

One significant hurdle is the absence of an official standard for regenerative farming methods. To address this, Carlsberg has enlisted Agrovi, an agricultural consultancy, to develop specific guidelines tailored to Denmark’s conditions.

Collaboration across the value chain is essential to scaling these practices.

Bøje Kjær, Executive Vice President of DLG Denmark, sees a promising future for regenerative crops, noting their potential to transform agriculture.

“There is a huge business potential for regenerative crops, which we believe is an important part of the transformation that agriculture is facing,” Bøje says. “The next step is to get more food companies on board who can see the same added value as Carlsberg and Viking Malt.”

By fostering partnerships, Carlsberg is building momentum for regenerative farming to become a standard in the Danish agricultural sector and beyond.

Building resilience through sustainability

Carlsberg’s shift towards regenerative farming not only reduces environmental impact but also builds resilience in its supply chain.

With climate change posing risks like droughts and extreme rainfall, regenerative methods help farms better withstand these challenges. This ensures a stable supply of high-quality barley for brewing, even as environmental conditions grow more unpredictable.

For consumers, the move to sustainable ingredients doesn’t affect the beer’s flavour. Carlsberg ensures that the regenerative malting barley meets the same high standards as conventionally-grown barley, so fans of the brand can continue to enjoy the same taste they know and love.

Leading industry change

Carlsberg’s efforts to expand regenerative farming may also inspire broader change in the food and beverage industry. The company hopes its initiatives will encourage other businesses to adopt similar practices, creating a ripple effect across agriculture.

Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, Senior Director of Sustainability and ESG for Carlsberg Group, underscores the importance of collaboration in scaling these efforts.

“There are several challenges to overcome in the coming months and years, including common principles,” he says. “We need scale to increase impact. For this to happen, we need more value chain partners and crops to join the transition.”

Carlsberg’s commitment to regenerative farming exemplifies how businesses can lead the way in sustainable procurement, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and industry innovation can go hand in hand.

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