Breeding for Sustainability
Breeding for a sustainable future
At Aviagen, sustainability isn’t just a goal – it’s part of our DNA. Our 2023 Sustainability Report highlights how we’re breeding sustainability throughout our global operations, helping to build a better future for poultry production around the world.
We invite you to check out our latest interactive Sustainability Report.
The report demonstrates the progress we’re making – from advancing bird welfare and productivity to reducing the sector's environmental footprint – all guided by the three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Economic and Social.
Sustainability in action – How our teams are making a difference
Every day, our teams are turning their sustainability goals into practical solutions that benefit their communities and the planet. Here are just a few examples of how our people are breeding sustainability in their regions – through simple actions that add up to meaningful change.
In Brazil
Across Aviagen-owned sites in Brazil, more than 2,600 hectares (over 6,400 acres) of forests featuring native and exotic trees provide both a natural wildlife habitat and a protective buffer. The benefits go far beyond biosecurity. These trees also store carbon, making a real impact on climate action. We’ve also switched our company fleet to 100% ethanol – a cleaner, renewable biofuel derived from sugarcane.
Across Europe
Across our farms and hatcheries in Germany, Hungary and the UK, solar panels are helping us cut over 829 metric tons of CO₂E units each year. With expansion plans underway in France, Spain, and Sweden, we’re scaling up clean energy and other innovations to more than double our carbon savings.
East and South Africa
In Tanzania, our team is enhancing sustainability by planting avocado trees and growing a vegetable garden that has already produced hundreds of kilos of fresh food for distribution to employees at the facilities. We’re also supporting biodiversity by installing beehives – an initiatives that extends beyond Tanzania, with beehives now in both East and South Africa. These efforts promote food security, strengthen local communities, and are set to expand even further this year.
In Türkiye
At our Anadolu operation, the team is combining smart innovation with sustainability by improving water purification and optimizing cooling systems for bird welfare. These improvements have significantly reduced water use – cutting daily consumption per house from up to 7 tons to just 1 ton – while maintaining a healthier environment for the birds.
In North America
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond environmental stewardship—it extends to the protection of wildlife, habitats, and the communities in which we operate. As bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Aviagen took careful steps to ensure the construction and operation of one of its farms in Tennessee would not disturb a pair of eagles’ nest and natural habitat.
At the core of our business
Feeding a growing population in a way that does not harm the planet is an ongoing challenge. To tackle this challenge, the United Nations has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our top five corporate commitments align with the five SDGs prioritized by the International Poultry Council (IPC), as they focus on eliminating hunger, promoting good health and well-being, supporting innovation, driving education, and protecting our planet for generations to come. We hold the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) as a top priority, and are committed to taking proactive steps to help secure our planet’s future.
Poultry is the species that has the lowest carbon footprint of all meat-producing animals.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is a key driver of sustainability. Our continuous progress in FCR has allowed us lower the carbon footprint of the global industry by 1% year on year. You can see how in our Carbon Footprint Animation.
Making a positive impact
For decades, we’ve been committed to making a positive impact. That means providing breeding chickens that are healthy, feed-efficient and resilient, supporting poultry producers with practical solutions, and doing business in a way that respects both people and the planet.
At Aviagen, breeding sustainability means doing the right thing – today and for the future – to support our customers, our communities, and the world we share.