The report highlights the progress we’ve made in helping create a more modern, inclusive and sustainable cocoa ecosystem.
From the crunchy, chewy goodness of SNICKERS® to the dark chocolate drizzled over a KIND® bar, cocoa is a cornerstone of our company. In fact, we’ve been using cocoa from around the globe to make our iconic lineup of chocolate brands for over 100 years.
We recognize our role in the global cocoa industry and the opportunity we share in helping create a better cocoa ecosystem for cocoa-growing communities and the planet. That’s why we launched our Cocoa for Generations strategy in 2018, investing $1 billion over 10 years to support and fund programs with our collaborators that help in delivering opportunities for positive change in cocoa-growing communities around the world.
Since then, our Cocoa for Generations report has recapped our progress and reaffirmed our commitment across our three core pillars: modern, inclusive and sustainable. Today, we’re proud to share the Cocoa for Generations 2024 Progress Report, highlighting the progress we’ve made toward helping foster a cocoa ecosystem where everyone is empowered to thrive.
Modern cocoa
Driven by advances in science and technology, a modern cocoa ecosystem has the potential to become more professionalized and productive. To bring this vision to life, we are actively testing new ways to increase productivity with better tools, techniques, planting materials and sustainable farming practices. In 2024, we worked with our partners to:
- Help facilitate the release of four cocoa varieties with higher yields and pest and disease resistance.
- Open the Mars Cocoa Advanced Research Laboratory (CARL) at the Mars Cocoa Research Station in Pangkep, Indonesia.
- Test new applications for cacao plant Virus Rapid Detection Kits in Ghana.
Inclusive cocoa
We believe a more inclusive cocoa ecosystem is one that helps to address the complex challenges facing cocoa by supporting programs for economic development in the cocoa supply chain. Some accomplishments from last year included:
- Reaching over 101,000 Women for Change members.
- Achieving over $20 million in total savings by Women for Change VSLA groups and $13 million in loans given by VSLA groups to members.
- Delivering through suppliers human rights training to at least 196,000 farmers.
Sustainable cocoa
We are striving to help look after natural resources for cocoa-growing communities. That means helping preserve biodiversity and reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions — all while helping to foster more resilient cocoa production. By the end of 2024:
- Approximately 675,000 hectares of the farms in our Responsibly Sourced Cocoa Program were assessed for deforestation risk.
- At least 112,000 farmers were trained in forest protection in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana through suppliers.
- 1.8 million non-cocoa trees were distributed for on-farm planting to increase shade and biodiversity.
Through our Cocoa for Generations strategy, we remain committed to helping create a more modern, inclusive and sustainable cocoa ecosystem.
To learn more, read the full Cocoa for Generations 2024 Progress Report.
