Asia's Protein Buyers Still Trail Global Best Practice -- But Momentum is Building, New ARE Benchmark Finds
NEW DELHI, Feb 19, 2026: A major new benchmark released today has delivered a stark wake-up call to Asia’s largest food retailers and manufacturers, revealing that despite some progress, the majority are lagging behind on responsible protein sourcing—putting billions of dollars in market value and global climate goals at risk.
The second edition of The Asian Protein Buyers 100 (APB100) , published by Asia Research & Engagement (ARE), assesses 100 of the continent’s biggest listed companies—from household names in India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia—on how they manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks hidden within their meat, dairy, and seafood supply chains.
The findings? Scores are improving, but the starting line was very low.
The Hard Truth: Average Score Just 16%
While the average overall score of these protein-buying giants crept up from 9% in 2023 to 16% in 2025, the report emphasizes that "the baseline remains low." Alarmingly, no company managed to reach the top two performance tiers, highlighting a massive chasm between glossy sustainability pledges and real-world execution on farms and in fisheries.
The report covers a who's who of Asian food conglomerates, assessing a combined market capitalization of over USD 500 billion. This includes:
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India: Hindustan Unilever, Nestlé India, Jubilant FoodWorks, Devyani International, DMart, and Westlife Foodworld (which operates McDonald’s in West and South India).
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China: China Mengniu Dairy, Yili Group, Yum China.
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Japan: AEON, Seven & i Holdings, Meiji, Nissin.
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Thailand: Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods), Thai Union.
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Philippines: Jollibee Foods, San Miguel Food & Beverage.
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South Korea: CJ CheilJedang, Lotte.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The report highlights a region in transition but warns that progress is "uneven."
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The Bright Spots (Relatively): Companies performed best on issues with growing regulatory and investor heat, such as Water & Waste Management, Labour Standards, and Climate Change disclosures. The number of companies in the leading "Tier 3" group more than doubled, from 10 to 26, indicating a cluster of early movers is emerging.
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The Critical Gaps: However, several material risk areas remain "dangerously underdeveloped."
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Governance (Score: 4.5%): Most companies have zero board-level accountability or strategy for protein sustainability.
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Protein Diversification (Score: 7.4%): There is a glaring lack of plans to shift portfolios toward low-carbon plant-based proteins.
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Deforestation & Animal Welfare: Disclosures remain thin, with only one company aligning with recognized higher-welfare standards.
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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Policies to curb antibiotic overuse in supply chains are mostly absent.
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Why This Matters: Asia Holds the Key
"Asia is the world’s fastest-growing protein market, which means what happens here will determine the future of global food systems," warned Kate Blaszak, ARE Director of Protein Transition.
With less than five years left to meet crucial 2030 UN targets, the report warns that the vision of a responsible food system is at risk. The current trajectory shows that while companies are getting better at reporting, they are not getting better at doing.
"This APB100 shows that disclosure and awareness are improving and aims to trigger a shift from Policy to Practice," Blaszak added. "The next phase must focus on full supply-chain coverage, measurable targets, and annual progress with board-level accountability."
The Verdict
For investors, this report is a critical risk map. For consumers, it’s a transparency scorecard. And for the companies named within it, the APB100 serves as a clear directive: incremental progress is no longer enough. With USD 500 billion in market cap on the line, Asia’s food giants are being told to put their money where their mouth is—or risk being left behind in the race for a sustainable future.
