Unilever tops the Tomorrow’s Value Rating of the food and beverage sector with a comprehensive sustainability strategy underpinned by solid management systems.

Nestlé and Danone follow in second and third places, the former having the sector’s best approach to supply-chain management, the latter standing out for its efforts to reach consumers at the bottom of the pyramid. The two soft-drink rivals Pepsi and Coca-Cola are in fourth and fifth places respectively.

The Rating of the world’s 10 largest food and beverage companies shows that the sector’s sustainability efforts are being driven by consumers’ social and environmental concerns as well as companies’ fears that climate change and water scarcity are putting at risk the security of their supplies.

The number of potential customers in emerging markets is another strong incentive to develop new products and distribution models that work in challenging socio-economic circumstances and address special nutritional needs, according to the Rating.

While leaders such as Unilever, Nestlé and Danone demonstrate strong initiatives across these areas, all companies in the sector continue to face significant challenges, particularly within their supply chains. The communications of laggards in the sector, however, indicate only limited awareness of these challenges.

Key findings of the Tomorrow’s Value Rating of the food and beverage sector