Chocolate maker Mars invests $5m as part of 'Protect the Peanut Plan'

Agricultural science investment aimed at improving food security.

Mars, Incorporated – the name behind global brands such as M&M's, Snickers, and Skittles – is investing $5m into what the manufacturer described as "pioneering" agricultural science as part of the Mars Protect the Peanut Plan.

Shining light on the funding, Mars Snacking's Chief R&D (research and development), Procurement, and Sustainability Officer Amanda Davies noted: "We have long believed that Mars can play a unique role as an engine of innovation, which is why we're thinking in generations and betting big on science to protect the peanut.

"We know that the perfect peanut won't be discovered by accident. It will take long-term investment, scientific ingenuity, and the dedication of our incredible partners to keep turning potential into progress – from the greenhouse to the farmer's field. After all, innovation without implementation is just imagination."

According to Mars, pests and disease result in as much as 30% of peanuts not making it from pod to plate. With its five-year Protect the Peanut Plan, the goal is to fund advanced techniques to grow hardier peanut varieties through genomic science.

Dr Soraya Bertioli, senior research scientist at University of Georgia's Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, commented: "The cultivated peanut was a once-in-a-millennium accident of nature, but we can't afford to wait for chance to strike twice.

"Creating more resilient peanuts requires transformative science, discipline, and partnership. Simply put: Our breakthroughs would not be possible without the long-term support of Mars."

The chocolate maker, which co-founded the Peanut Genome Initiative, said the new $5m programme builds on more than a decade of Mars-funded peanut research. Prior investments span state-of-the-art scientific efforts worth approximately $10m.

In Asia, where the confectionery market is projected to grow 5.6% annually to $213b by 2029 (figures from online data platform Statista), the US-headquartered business is looking to grow its snacking division.

Kalpesh Parmar, general manager at Mars Wrigley Asia, previously told ESGBusiness sister site Retail Asia: "Our sales have been largely fuelled by our chocolate, fruity confectionery, and pet product categories.

"Whilst we are in a healthy financial state, we have a key opportunity to further expand market share through volume-driven strategies across the region."