Tag: Cocoa

Fairtrade adds new certification requirement for cocoa and coffee to boost farmer incomes

Stuart Mitchell

In a move to deepen benefits for farmers, Fairtrade International has announced a new requirement for cooperatives and traders applying for cocoa or coffee certification. The requirement, which takes effect 1 June 2020, obligates cooperative and trader applicants to have commitments in place for new Fairtrade sales volumes in order to be eligible for certification. The commitments must be confirmed by the end buyer, whose products bear the FAIRTRADE Mark, and validated by the respective national Fairtrade organization. It will also be possible for new producer organizations to become certified,…

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Fairtrade leads the fight for decent incomes for cocoa farmers

Stuart Mitchell

With global cocoa prices stuck at unsustainably low levels, Fairtrade is moving a step closer towards securing a decent income for impoverished cocoa farmers – many of whom earn less than US$1 dollar a day. “Most cocoa farmers are unable to afford decent housing, food and education, and that will continue as long as chocolate traders, manufacturers and brands fail to address the issue of price,” said Fairtrade International CEO Darío Soto Abril. “Many farmers still live in extreme poverty.” As part of the solution to the huge power imbalances…

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Mondelēz International Expands Women’s Empowerment Plans in Cocoa Communities

Stuart Mitchell

Mondelēz International today announced new action plans to accelerate women’s empowerment across four cocoa origin countries as part of Cocoa Life, the company’s cocoa sustainability program. The company launched specific women’s empowerment action plans in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in 2014 and is now expanding to include two additional origin countries, Indonesia and Dominican Republic. These new action plans will empower more than 100,000 women in over 1,000 communities in these four countries. Based on program learnings and insights from international and local partners, the plans focus on promoting women’s…

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Mars Launches New Cocoa Sustainability Strategy

Stuart Mitchell

Mars Wrigley Confectionery, a maker of chocolate for more than 100 years and one of the world’s largest buyers of cocoa, today launched a new plan for overhauling its cocoa supply chain. Called Cocoa for Generations, the plan places the interest of the smallholder farmer at its center, helps to safeguard children and forests, and creates a pathway for cocoa farmers and cocoa-growing communities to thrive.  Cocoa for Generations is backed by an investment of $1 billion over 10 years and is incremental to the Sustainable in a Generation Plan…

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