By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Soil health is rapidly shifting from an environmental concern to a supply chain priority for major pet food manufacturers as extreme weather strains global agricultural output. With key ingredients like grains and vegetable proteins originating on farms, the degradation of fertile topsoil poses a fundamental risk to long-term ingredient security.
Soil degradation threatens ingredient supply
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the world loses roughly 24 billion tonnes of fertile topsoil annually to erosion and degradation. Healthy living soil acts as a natural sponge, retaining water to protect crops against drought cycles and facilitating the transfer of micronutrients. The 2026 harvest underscored this vulnerability: UK wheat yields fell to historically low levels, with individual growers reporting yields up to 30 per cent below expectations.
Purina leads with regenerative partnerships
Purina has made regenerative agriculture a flagship sustainability initiative through its Regenerative Agriculture Partnerships. By the end of 2025, the brand sourced 29 per cent of its total cereals and vegetable proteins across Europe from farmers using verified regenerative practices, surpassing a 20 per cent target. The programme encompasses over 630 farmers and 37,000 hectares of European farmland, with a goal to reach 50 per cent by 2030.
UK farmers adopt new practices with financial support
In the UK, Purina partners with Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) to support 110 wheat farmers across 8,000 hectares. Growers receive technical and financial assistance to implement cover cropping and reduced tillage, preserving soil structure and biological networks. A recent survey commissioned by Purina found 87 per cent of UK farmers are significantly more open to adapting practices for soil resilience than five years ago. Farmer Clare Donkin is among those adopting regenerative methods through the partnership.
Long-term goals and industry implications
By embedding soil-conscious agriculture into its sourcing strategy, Purina aims to build a more resilient agricultural system that insulates farmers against climate shocks. The shift reflects a broader industry recognition that securing stronger ingredient supply chains requires direct corporate investment in the living ecosystems that underpin food production for both people and pets.
