El Ni\u00f1o overview: how food giants are protecting supply chainsEl Ni\u00f1o threatens food production through disrupted weather and yieldsNestl\u00e9 prioritises sourcing flexibility and climate-resilient agricultural practicesKraft Heinz develops localised seeds and precision irrigation technologiesBarry Callebaut cites stronger cocoa stocks and sourcing diversificationDanone focuses on supplier partnerships, risk management and resilience<\/p>\n
Every two-to-seven years, the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon causes temperatures to rise globally and rainfall patterns to change. <\/p>\n
It can often put a strain on food production, but 2026\/27 is predicted to be a \u2018super El Ni\u00f1o\u2019, according to the organisation World Resources Institute (WRI), with even more severe effects. <\/p>\n
This is only compounded by the effects of climate change, which are already pressuring crop yields globally. <\/p>\n
Yet many of the food giants have practices in place to protect their supply chains against climate volatility of the sort that El Ni\u00f1o is likely to bring. <\/p>\n
Nestl\u00e9 <\/p>\n
While Nestl\u00e9 is monitoring El Ni\u00f1o closely, it views it as a smaller part of the larger picture of climate volatility, explains a spokesperson for the company. It is prioritising the resilience of supply chains most exposed to such risks, including coffee, cocoa and dairy. <\/p>\n
In cocoa, it is investing in regenerative agriculture, farmer productivity, improved agronomy and climate-resilient farming practices, the spokesperson explains, through various initiatives including the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan and the Nestl\u00e9 Income Accelerator Program. <\/p>\n
It is aiming to diversify sourcing and increase flexibility, in order to avoid dependence on one region. <\/p>\n
Kraft Heinz<\/p>\n
To protect its tomato supply chain, Kraft Heinz has developed unique seeds for different locations around the world, explains Jake Lake, global head of agriculture and seed at Kraft Heinz.<\/p>\n
For example, in California, the US, tomato plants have been developed that have more extensive root systems, and can therefore reach water and nutrients deeper underground. <\/p>\n