In March 2025, Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmännen was named Sweden’s most sustainable food company in the Sustainable Brand Index—Europe’s largest independent sustainability survey. The index, based on feedback from 25,000 Swedish consumers, ranked 434 companies on their sustainability performance.

A Reputation Built Over Time

Lantmännen secured first place among food companies and fourth overall—an achievement matched only by IKEA over the survey’s 15-year history. Consistently ranked among Sweden’s top ten most sustainable companies, Lantmännen’s long-term commitment to sustainability clearly resonates with consumers.

As Claes Johansson, Lantmännen’s Head of Sustainability, put it:

"Sustainability and responsibility from field to fork are the starting point for everything we do... the fact that it is the Swedish people who have had their say makes it even more gratifying."

For industrial bakers, this highlights that genuine, long-term sustainability efforts earn trust—something marketing alone cannot achieve.

A System-Wide Approach

Lantmännen’s sustainability efforts span the entire agricultural value chain, from supporting sustainable farming to pioneering fossil-free production. CEO Magnus Kagevik emphasised the importance of driving sustainable food production despite increasing scrutiny:

"I am proud that Lantmännen continues to make significant progress... A concrete example is the first fossil-free food production on a large scale."

For industrial bakers, this underscores the need to evaluate sustainability across all operations—ingredient sourcing, energy use and supply chain transparency.

Sustainability as a Brand Value

Several of Lantmännen’s brands also ranked highly, with AXA climbing to ninth place among food brands, while GoGreen and Kungsörnen featured in the top fifteen. In Finland, Lantmännen’s Myllyn Paras and Vaasan brands ranked fourth and sixth.

For industrial bakers supplying major retailers or managing their own brands, the message is clear: consumers value sustainability and reward brands that lead in this space.

Key Takeaways for Industrial Bakers

Lantmännen’s success highlights that sustainability is not a trend but a business imperative. Key lessons include:

• Commitment matters – Long-term, consistent efforts build credibility.

  
  

• Think beyond the bakery – Sustainability spans from farming to production.

  
  

• Communicate progress – Transparency strengthens consumer trust.

  
  

• Invest in innovation – Advances like fossil-free production create a competitive edge.

  
  

As Claes Johansson reminds us:

"Sustainability is not something you are done with – we want, can and will be even better."

For industrial bakers, integrating sustainability at every stage is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying competitive and meeting customer expectations.