Release number

No.14941

Posted date

2025/12/2

Category

• CSR

Suntory Partners with Biodiversify to Develop Agricultural Strategy for Sustainable Procurement of Raw Ingredients

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Tokyo, JAPAN (December 2, 2025) — Suntory Holdings today announced a partnership with Biodiversify, a UK-based conservation consultancy, to develop an agricultural strategy and roadmap that will support the sustainable procurement of raw ingredients.

Biodiversify specializes in developing strategies that integrate nature into corporate decision-making. The consultancy has extensive experience supporting businesses in identifying risks, opportunities, and pathways toward a nature-positive future that supports commercial growth.

In recent years, climate change has intensified extreme weather events such as droughts and floods worldwide, significantly affecting crop yields and disrupting procurement activities. As a multifaceted beverage company sustained by the gifts of nature ― notably water and agricultural raw ingredients ― Suntory Group recognizes that the degradation of natural systems poses a direct risk to business continuity.

In response, Suntory Group has been working closely with contract farmers and suppliers to advance sustainable agricultural and procurement practices. These efforts include active engagement with international initiatives such as the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform and VIVE, collaborative research with various academic institutions, and pilot projects in regenerative agriculture to explore innovative, climate-resilient farming approaches.

In July, Suntory Group published its integrated disclosure based on the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), structuring its activities in accordance with the frameworks of the nature and climate transition plans. Moving forward, to further enhance the accuracy of its 2050 transition plan for raw materials and agriculture, Suntory Group and Biodiversify will develop a comprehensive strategy and roadmap to strengthen agricultural resilience and ensure stable sourcing of raw materials.

Through this initiative, Suntory Group aims to visualize the environmental dependencies and impacts of its value chain and reduce risks associated with climate change and the degradation of natural systems. Looking ahead, the Group plans to define priority raw materials and sourcing regions in 2026 and implement joint initiatives with contract farmers and suppliers that promote nature-positive and resilient agricultural systems.

Masaaki Fujiwara, Chief Sustainability Officer of Suntory Holdings, comments, “As a multifaceted global beverage company sustained by the gifts of nature such as water and agricultural raw ingredients, we recognize that issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are deeply interconnected. Understanding how these environmental challenges relate to our business activities and taking action through a comprehensive, science-based strategy is essential for protecting commercial growth.
“Through this partnership with Biodiversify, we will take a concrete step toward advancing sustainable raw material procurement in line with nature and climate transition plans, and realizing a business that operates in harmony with nature.”

Dr Samuel Sinclair, Co-Founder and Director of Biodiversify, comments, “Suntory recognizes what leading global corporates increasingly understand: securing raw material supply in an era of climate instability requires a fundamental shift in how we approach nature. This partnership will help Suntory protect the agricultural systems on which its business relies, while positioning it at the forefront of nature-positive transformation in the food and beverage sector.
“We are thrilled to bring Biodiversify’s expertise and cutting-edge biodiversity science to support Suntory in building a strategy that strengthens its business and the natural systems it depends on.”

Learn more about Suntory Group’s Sustainability Vision here and about its work on sustainable procurement here.

About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Sustained by the gifts of nature and water, the Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker's Mark, canned ready-to-drink -196 (minus one-nine-six), The Premium Malt’s beer, Japanese wine Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Oasis, BOSS coffee, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, and V energy drink, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.3 billion in 2024. Its 41,357 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
For more information, visit www.suntory.com and Drink Smart.

About Biodiversify
Biodiversify is a conservation consultancy passionate about partnering with clients committed to nature. We educate and support clients in mitigating biodiversity loss throughout their operations and supply chains. Together, we create a transformative future where a sustainable economy values, protects, and restores nature for the benefit of people worldwide.
Our expert team specialises in using cutting-edge science to understand complex social and ecological systems to make informed decisions about how to protect and restore our planet’s natural resources.
For more information: https://biodiversify.com/