From Farm to Fries: McDonald’s China Reinvents Its Supply Chain with Strategic Partnerships for Sustainability and Global Sourcing

At the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (Chain Expo), McDonald’s China announced three strategic cooperation agreements that mark a significant evolution in its procurement and sustainability approach. The centerpiece is a tripartite memorandum with Syngenta Group China and McCann Foods China to launch a pilot project focused on the upstream phase of the potato supply chain. This initiative aims to build a “more sustainable potato supply chain” by expanding sourcing volumes and regional diversification, while promoting scientific fertilization and green farming methods such as precision drip irrigation. Additionally, the partnership will explore the application of artificial intelligence, data tracking, and smart water- and fertilizer-saving technologies to enhance standardization and intelligence in potato cultivation—directly impacting the quality and traceability of McDonald’s iconic french fries. Alongside this, McDonald’s signed procurement memoranda with COFCO Group and MBRF Group to integrate local and global high-quality protein resources, further diversifying its supply base.

These collaborations are grounded in McDonald’s long-standing “three-legged stool” business philosophy, which emphasizes close cooperation between the brand, employees, and suppliers—a model that has sustained stable, long-term relationships for decades. With over 40 years of active presence in China, McDonald’s currently sources about 400 ingredients and raw materials annually, over 90% of which come from local suppliers. As Executive Director Gu Lei noted, the Chain Expo provided an industrial communication platform that enabled the company to transition from a mere exhibitor to a collaborative partner, jointly advancing sustainable agriculture and global procurement. The three new projects not only strengthen in-network cooperation but also expand it into cross-chain collaboration, ultimately delivering fresher, more natural, and safer ingredients to consumers while supporting the modernization of China’s agricultural sector.