New research by the US$95 trillion-backed FAIRR investor network has highlighted a growing ‘credibility gap’ among the world’s biggest food companies in how they deploy their regenerative agriculture initiatives. 

The research exposes a worrying new trend in which regen commitments are being “quietly dropped” by big food companies, while also revealing that not a single large company has yet set a pesticide reduction target. 

The report, Regenerative Agriculture: Moving from Ambition to Credibility, assesses 78 publicly listed agri-food companies* with combined revenues of US$3.3 trillion, comparing their progress against FAIRR’s 2023 research.

The findings reveal that while positive steps have been taken by some companies – including improved measurement and broader climate strategy integration – corporate programmes are too often beset by contradiction and incomplete coverage.

The research shows: 

• 52% of companies identify reducing agrochemical inputs as a goal, yet many of the most widely deployed regenerative agriculture practices can still rely on herbicides in implementation. Despite this, no company has set a pesticide reduction target. 
• Only 4% of companies have set outcome-based targets despite 54% claiming they now measure regenerative agriculture outcomes. Even for GHG emissions, the easiest outcome to measure and report, only 24% of companies report progress, leaving investors unable to properly assess the credibility of corporate programmes. 
• Quantified regenerative agriculture targets have fallen from 35% of assessed companies in 2023 to just 28% in 2026. 

Companies disclosing fewer regenerative agriculture commitments
The proportion of assessed companies setting quantified regenerative agriculture targets has fallen from 35% in 2023 to just 28% in 2026. Many companies longer disclose previously reported regenerative agriculture targets or have significantly revised their commitments, while six companies no longer reference regenerative agriculture in their public disclosures.

FAIRR’s analysis suggests this trend may reflect a growing awareness of legal and reputational risk as scrutiny of sustainability claims intensifies globally and companies face accusations of greenwashing. 

Contradictions and pesticides undermine regenerative claims
FAIRR has identified growing contradictions between stated ambitions and practices being deployed within corporate regenerative agriculture strategies, highlighted by pesticide use. While 52% of companies identify reducing agrochemical use as a goal, many of the sector’s most widely adopted practices still depend on herbicides if not implemented alongside other practices. Cover crops are used by 68% of companies and reduced or no-till farming by 58%, both of which can be heavily reliant on herbicides. No company has set a target to reduce pesticide use as part of its regenerative agriculture programme. 

“THE disconnect between stated ambition and on-the-ground practice is a direct challenge to the credibility of corporate regenerative agriculture narratives”

“The disconnect between stated ambition and on-the-ground practice is a direct challenge to the credibility of corporate regenerative agriculture narratives”

Measurement progress cannot mask governance shortfall
FAIRR acknowledges that here are some grounds for cautious optimism. For example, the share of companies measuring regenerative agriculture outcomes has risen sharply, from 16% in 2023 to 54% in 2026. More companies are connecting regenerative agriculture to their Scope 3 emissions strategies: 52% now make a quantitative or qualitative link, compared to just 24% three years ago. But I says that “most measurement remains at the project level rather than across company operations, making it difficult for investors to assess the true scale and impact of programmes and whether they really support supply chain resilience”. Only 4% of companies have set outcome-based targets – defining what they aim to achieve, rather than how many acres they will farm regeneratively – despite 54% claiming they have begun to measure outcomes.

Some company strategies showcase ‘best practice’
Scalable, impactful corporate sustainable agriculture initiatives, including regenerative agriculture, are long-term projects that are difficult to measure, but some companies are putting in place strategies that show that this can be achieved. FAIRR cites Carrefour’s acknowledgement of the financial materiality of soil health, biodiversity, water, climate resilience and adequate wages, General Mills’ “clarity on the scope of its programme” and PepsiCo’s outcome-based farmer payment schemes. 

Commenting on the findings, María Montosa Ródenas, technical specialist, research & engagements – nature, FAIRR, said: “Regenerative agriculture has real potential to help agri-food companies build resilience against climate and nature-related risks. But potential is not the same as progress. Our research shows that corporate strategies remain fragmented and under-resourced. The pesticide contradiction at the heart of many programmes is particularly striking: companies cannot credibly claim to be restoring nature while deploying practices that undermine that goal. Investors need to push for outcome-based targets and company-wide reporting, or the regenerative agriculture opportunity will remain largely unrealised.”

“The pesticide contradiction at the heart of many programmes is particularly striking: companies cannot credibly claim to be restoring nature while deploying practices that undermine that goal”

Arthur van Mansvelt, Senior Engagement Specialist, Achmea Investment Management, added: “Many agrifood businesses present regenerative agriculture as a silver bullet to meet climate and nature goals. But, as investors, we are still struggling to assess the credibility of initiatives. We need to have clarity on how companies use regenerative agriculture to contribute to achieving global nature goals. And farmers need fair compensation for the extra efforts and risks, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability and price volatility. The quality of the approach, implementation and disclosure will ultimately be the driver of long‑term profitability.”

*The report, Regenerative Agriculture: Moving from Ambition to Credibility, is available at www.fairr.org. It assesses 78 publicly listed agri-food companies with combined annual revenues of US$3.3 trillion and a market capitalisation of US$5.7 trillion, building on FAIRR’s 2023 research, The Four Labours of Regenerative Agriculture.