Our raw materials

We’re dedicated to achieving transparency and traceability within our business, and we’re focusing on the 15 raw materials that are most important to us. To us, responsible sourcing means paying attention to critical social, environmental, economic and animal welfare issues when obtaining raw ingredients.

Watch our video to find out more about our responsible sourcing at Nestlé

Our 15 priority raw materials

Raw materials - coffee

Coffee

Through programs like our Nescafé Plan and the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program, we sourced 67% of our total coffee responsibly in 2019, and 67% was traceable back to an identified group of farmers.

Raw materials - cocoa

Cocoa

One of our most important ingredients is cocoa, and we’re committed to sourcing all our cocoa for confectionery through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan by 2025. In 2019, 44% of our cocoa purchased was responsibly sourced, and 44% was traceable.

Raw materials - dairy

Dairy

Dairy is our single biggest category by volume, and we source it from both small-scale and large-scale producers all around the world. In 2019, 86% of our total dairy was responsibly sourced, and 91% was traceable.

Raw materials - palm oil

Palm oil

We’re dedicated to using 100% responsibly sourced palm oil by 2020 and are making steady progress toward that goal. In 2019, 79% of our total palm oil purchased was responsibly sourced, and 62% was traceable back to the plantation.

Raw materials - pulp and paper

Pulp and paper

Pulp and paper are used for everything from food packaging and transportation to marketing materials. In 2019, 91% of our total pulp and paper purchased was responsibly sourced, and 88% traceable to country of origin.

Raw materials - soya

Soya

In 2019, of the soya we sourced, 75% was responsibly sourced, and 78% traceable at least back to its crush site.

Raw materials - sugar

Sugar

Used across many of our products, sugar is one of our most important ingredients. In 2019, 66% of our total sugar purchased was responsibly sourced, and 81.5% was traceable at least back to mill.

Raw materials - cereals grains

Cereals and grains

Cereals are a relatively new addition to our list of key raw materials, but we’ve already made progress. In 2019, 31.6% of our total cereals purchased was responsibly sourced, and 36% was traceable back to co-operative, warehouse or country of origin.