As many as 50% of all farmers in France are set to retire in the next decade.
While this may not feel like too much of a concern to UK domestic producers, France is one of the foreign economies most comparable to the UK and, more often than not, faces very similar challenges that closely mirror our own.
In fact, a 2025 report by McCain Foods suggests that 50% of British farmers are considering leaving the industry over the next decade, citing financial, environmental and mental health pressures.
Häagen‑Dazs believes the solution lies in making the industry more sustainable, future‑proofing it through green technology and more environmentally friendly farming practices.
Supporting local farmers
What strikes you straight away about Häagen‑Dazs’ Arras site is its sheer size. Built in 1992, it is the firm’s primary global manufacturing facility, producing around 75 million litres of ice cream annually, which it ships to more than 90 international markets.
Situated at the centre of France’s dairy farming heartland, it is not hard to see why a US company chose to focus its worldwide manufacturing here. Estimates suggest that the region around Arras alone comprises some 3,700 dairy farms, with northern and northern-western France considered major dairy basins.
Today, we are now facing a much tougher economic climate across the globe, with the consequences of global warming coming home to roost for many - with adverse weather patterns such as heavy rain disrupting “every stage” of cultivation in parts of France across 2024.
The falling number of dairy farmers in France, and farmers more broadly, has been recognised as a key threat to the food and drink industry.
Häagen‑Dazs is taking action in response, having invested heavily in regenerative agriculture in recent years, alongside working with local farmers to create more sustainable ways of doing business.
“At Arras, our success depends on the strength of the local dairy sector, so supporting farmers through this generational shift is important to us,” explained Nicolas Cayeux, director of Häagen‑Dazs Arras.
“We source as much of our milk and cream as possible from around 300 farms close to the site, giving producers long-term stability and a reliable market. Through General Mills, we are engaged in regenerative agriculture and decarbonisation programmes with dairy cooperative Prospérité Fermière Ingredia to help farms improve the long-term financial and ecological sustainability of their operations.”
General Mills, which produces Häagen‑Dazs outside of the US, Canadian and Japanese markets, has placed a significant bet on the initiative, bringing together 48 local farms as part of its decarbonisation programme.
Each participating farm receives a tailored environmental assessment and an actionable plan to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience.
Cayeux added: “Early results of the decarbonisation programme show a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with the wider cooperative.
“By improving profitability, environmental performance and long-term viability, these initiatives help secure today’s farmers while making the profession more attractive to the next generation.”
Investing in the future
Häagen‑Dazs’ backing for regenerative agriculture and future‑proof dairy farming forms a key part of its sustainability strategy.
Through its scheme with local farmers it aims to ensure that the local dairy industry can remain viable and ecologically beneficial, with a focus on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and capturing carbon - as opposed to traditional, more intensive farming models.
Benjamin Duché, regenerative agriculture lead for Europe & Australia at General Mills believes that the plan is “essential” to safeguarding the Arras site’s future supply chain.
“Our pilot programme in France supports dairy farms in adopting practices that improve soil health, enhance biodiversity and strengthen long-term productivity.
“Techniques such as rotational grazing, reduced soil disturbance and diversified cropping not only benefit the environment but also make financial sense. Healthier soils retain more water, reduce fertiliser needs and support more consistent yields, helping farmers manage rising input costs.”
Duché added: “The programme provides personalised technical support and financial assistance so each farm can transition at a pace that suits its operations.
“By improving both ecological resilience and economic stability, regenerative agriculture helps ensure dairy farming remains viable for future generations – a critical factor as many farmers approach retirement. It’s a strategic investment in supply security, quality and long-term sustainability.”
Collaborative programmes like these are key: manufacturers need suppliers, and suppliers need manufacturers. It’s in each party’s interest to support each other.
Finding new ways to operate is perhaps the best way to ensure that farmers across western Europe can survive; with manufacturers taking a more hands-on approach with the raw materials they use.
A beacon of sustainable production
Converting to more sustainable ways of working will not just prove beneficial for the brand’s dairy farmers, however – it has already proven key in helping save Häagen‑Dazs considerable amounts of money and energy at its Arras facility.
Due to investments made over the last few years alone, including several million pounds spent on heat‑pump technology, the factory has been able to reduce its gas consumption by two thirds since April 2024.
“Sustainable manufacturing is fundamental to the long‑term success of the Arras facility,” Cayeux stated.
“In recent years, we’ve transformed our energy systems through a €7 million investment in heat pump technology, cleaning system optimisation and expanded biogas infrastructure. These upgrades have reduced our natural gas use to one third of previous levels, and today more than 90% of our gas needs are met by biogas produced on site.”
This all forms part of a concerted effort to run Arras in a greener, more ecological way, as well as in a more financially sustainable manner. This, in turn, may prove indispensable in keeping the plant economically viable throughout the various energy shocks that may occur over the coming years, including the impending impact of the US–Iran war on industrial energy prices.
“Over the next five years, our priorities include increasing energy self‑sufficiency, expanding circular economy systems and continuing to decarbonise our dairy supply chain in partnership with local farms," continued Cayeux.
“Alongside this, our European R&D Centre will continue driving innovation in packaging, taste and process efficiency. Sustainable manufacturing isn’t just an environmental commitment, it’s essential to maintaining operational resilience, controlling costs and ensuring Arras remains a global hub for premium ice cream production.”
In short, Häagen‑Dazs has fully bought into the “go green or go broke” mentality.
Times have changed - so must priorities
At a time when the future of farming and food production is increasingly threatened by climate instability and geopolitics, robust self‑sufficiency, alongside financial and ecological sustainability, is surely a priority that should sit at the top of every business plan in 2026.
A secure supply chain is absolutely crucial to all manufacturers, and this is best done by taking a responsible, sustainable approach to production.
Intensive farming is hard on livestock and the environment by its very nature - and while switching to regenerative agriculture might be costly and time-consuming, it can save farmers significant amounts of money in the long-run - all while bolstering the security of their business.
We have entered an era when self-reliance in food production is becoming increasingly paramount.
Not only does it protect the supply of raw materials - but it also keeps disruptions from climate and political issues to a minimum.
The future of food production must be ‘greener’ and become more localised if we’ve to get through this on-going period of shock.
