Mars makes progress on peanut sustainability

Mars Chocolate says it is more than halfway on its journey to ensure that 100% of its peanut products contain a more sustainable peanut. In 2014, 51% of the peanuts used for the company’s U.S. products were high-oleic acid peanuts (HOAPs), helping the company keep pace with increasing product demand. Mars Chocolate has committed to […]

Mars Chocolate says it is more than halfway on its journey to ensure that 100% of its peanut products contain a more sustainable peanut. In 2014, 51% of the peanuts used for the company’s U.S. products were high-oleic acid peanuts (HOAPs), helping the company keep pace with increasing product demand.

Mars Chocolate has committed to using 100% HOAPs in its products by 2017, working with peanut farmers, shellers and the industry as a whole to support the production of a sustainable supply of quality HOAPs by investing in science, creating more advanced breeding approaches, mitigating disease and encouraging greater agricultural efficiencies. In addition, the company has invested more than $1.4 million to support the efforts of the International Peanut Genome Initiative, a group of crop geneticists that includes representatives from Mars, to map the peanut genome.

“The industry recognizes a need to work with farmers to grow peanut varieties that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the crop by keeping peanuts competitive, free of disease, and satisfying to consumers,” said Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Strategic Sourcing Manager of Peanuts for Mars Chocolate North America. “Consumers know that peanuts have many healthy components. HOAPs take this a step further by further boosting the natural healthfulness of the crop.”

Edible peanuts are one of Mars Chocolate’s foundational ingredients and, the company says, are a critical component to two of its most popular products worldwide – M&M’S Peanut Chocolate Candies and SNICKERS. As a result of what it says is the growing global demand for these billion dollar brands, Mars projects that its need for high quality whole peanuts will triple by 2025.