Ahold Delhaize aims for 50% plant-based food sales by 2030

Dutch grocery retailer Ahold Delhaize has announced a new target for plant-based foods to make up half of its sales by 2030 as part of a global effort to move towards more sustainable food systems.

The target is consolidated across all of Ahold Delhaize’s European food retail brands (except its Dutch brand Albert Heijn, which already has a goal of 60% plant-based protein sales by 2030) and will help the company lower Scope 3 emissions from its supply chain, since animal products represent the largest share of emissions.

Transforming food systems to a more sustainable model is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a key aspect of the transition to a net zero economy. But progress has been limited, and some experts argue that consumers need to be encouraged to make dietary shifts, including towards more plant-based food.

‘Small changes make a positive impact’

Claude Sarrailh, CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, said: “While supporting the shift to more plant-based proteins, we also work closely with our animal protein producers and suppliers to help reduce the environmental impact of their products. Our goal is to serve all customers and honor their diverse food preferences, while encouraging them to explore plant-rich options more often. Even small changes in the shopping habits of millions of customers each week can collectively make a positive impact on the health of people and planet."

The target comes with a strategy to encourage customers to choose more plant-based alternatives, for example by actively promoting plant-based product ranges and leveraging loyalty programmes to incentivise customers to buy plant-based foods.

Ahold Delhaize sustainability ambitions

Ahold Delhaize hired a new Chief Sustainability Officer, Alex Holt, in May 2024 following the departure of Jan Erst de Groot. Holt joined from Australian retail chain Woolworth, where she had been leading sustainability efforts since 2016.

The Dutch company has a 2030 target to cut value chain emissions by 37%, and to achieve that it is engaging with its suppliers to set their own science-based targets – as well as funding regenerative agriculture pilots.

As an example, its US arm – which also recently got a new Chief Sustainability Officer – teamed up with The Campbell’s Company last December on a three-year pilot to financially support farmers in North Carolina, New York and Michigan in implementing regenerative practices across 1,000 acres – the area needed to grow potatoes for the Campbell’s products sold every year at Ahold Delhaize stores.