Nestlé begins using regeneratively grown wheat in KitKat bars

Nestlé has started using wheat grown under regenerative agriculture practices in the production of KitKat chocolate bars in the UK. Regeneratively grown wheat currently accounts for 51% of the flour used in the wafers, with the grain supplied by British farmers participating in the Wildfarmed program.

According to Nestlé, the new wheat does not change the taste or texture of KitKat bars, but it is more expensive because farmers receive a premium for adopting regenerative farming practices. The company plans to gradually increase the share of regeneratively grown wheat while using the current blend to test the approach, secure reliable supplies and scale up production responsibly.

Wildfarmed farmers use practices designed to restore soil health, including reduced soil disturbance, cover cropping and more diverse crop rotations. The company says its flour has a lower greenhouse gas footprint than conventional flour due to reduced use of fertilizers and other synthetic inputs.

Nestlé does not plan to promote the use of regeneratively grown wheat on KitKat packaging. However, the company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, which is developing a global framework for regenerative agriculture. Nestlé aims to source 50% of its key ingredients from farms adopting regenerative practices by 2030.

At the same time, analysts note that while major food companies are increasingly announcing regenerative agriculture initiatives, many have yet to back their commitments with measurable results. According to the FAIRR investor network, only 4% of companies have outcome-based targets, while the share of businesses with quantified regenerative agriculture goals has declined from 35% in 2023 to 28% in 2026. Investors say this makes it more difficult to assess the credibility and effectiveness of corporate sustainability programs.

Tags: UK, wheat, Nestlé Cereals, Nestlé Wheat Plan, regenerative agriculture