Hormel Foods Corporation, commonly known as Hormel, is a leading player in the global food industry, headquartered in Austin, Minnesota, USA. Founded in 1891, the company has evolved significantly, marking key milestones such as the introduction of its iconic Spam product in 1937, which remains a staple in many households today. Hormel operates primarily in the meat and food products sector, offering a diverse range of items including refrigerated and shelf-stable products. Its portfolio features well-known brands such as Jennie-O, Hormel Natural Choice, and Applegate, each distinguished by a commitment to quality and innovation. With a strong market position, Hormel has garnered recognition for its sustainability efforts and product development, making it a trusted name in the food industry.
How does Hormel's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Food Product Manufacturing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Hormel's score of 29 is higher than 60% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Hormel Foods Corporation reported total Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 922,949,000 kg CO2e, with a market-based total of about 555,657,000 kg CO2e. This marks a significant increase from 2023, when the company recorded about 669,466,000 kg CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Hormel has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, using 2019 as the baseline year. Additionally, the company targets a 27.5% reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions within the same timeframe. These targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are designed to support global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. In the near term, Hormel established an interim target of a 1% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which was set to commence in 2020 and conclude in 2021. This commitment reflects the company's ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint across all scopes of emissions. Overall, Hormel Foods Corporation is actively working towards substantial emissions reductions while maintaining transparency in its reporting and commitments to climate action.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 793,230,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 2 | 238,300,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 3 | 12,240,103,000 | - | - | - | - | - |
The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 75% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Hormel has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Hormel's sustainability data and climate commitments