THE SWEET CHOICE: RESPONSIBLY SOURCED COCOA
The irresistible allure of chocolate knows no boundaries, captivating taste buds across diverse cultures and borders.
What most chocolate lovers don’t know is that the tantalising world of chocolate conceals a complex supply chain, with cocoa farming at its heart. In recent years, the concept of responsibly sourced cocoa has gained momentum as consumers become more conscious of the social and environmental impacts of their choices.
Cocoa trees thrive in tropical climates, and approximately 70% of the world’s cocoa is grown close to the Equator in West Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana being the primary growing countries. There are approximately 5.5-million cocoa farmers worldwide, most of whom are smallholder farmers with plots ranging from two to five hectares. These farmers rely on cocoa farming for their livelihoods and support around 14-million workers and their families.*
Responsibly sourced cocoa refers to cocoa beans grown and harvested under ethical and sustainable conditions. This holistic approach encompasses various aspects of the cocoa supply chain, including environmental stewardship, fair labour practices, and community development.
Environmental stewardship: cocoa farming can have significant environmental implications, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the potential overuse of agrochemicals. Responsibly sourced cocoa seeks to mitigate these adverse impacts by promoting sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry. Agroforestry integrates cocoa trees with native vegetation to preserve biodiversity and reduce environmental degradation. Additionally, farmer education initiatives have helped to improve farming methods and encourage sustainable farming.
Fair labour practices: a critical aspect of responsibly sourced cocoa is the commitment to fair labour practices. Many cocoa-producing regions have faced challenges related to child labour and poor working conditions. Initiatives for responsible sourcing strive to ensure cocoa farmers and workers receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, and have access to education for their children. Community development: beyond environmental and labour considerations, responsibly sourced cocoa also emphasises community development. This involves empowering local communities by providing them with the tools, knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life. Investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure contribute to the holistic wellbeing of these communities.
More than a decade ago, Woolworths embarked on its responsibly sourced cocoa journey, and over the years has partnered with specialist organisations such as Rainforest Alliance/UTZ, Cocoa Life, Cocoa Horizons and Fairtrade. These alliances align with Woolworths’ responsibly sourced values and standards, in that they support sustainable livelihoods, enable enhanced productivity, promote environmentally sustainable agriculture, and adhere to fair and humane labour practices.
Two years ago, Woolworths achieved its target of 100% responsibly sourced cocoa. This means that the cocoa used in Woolworths branded chocolate slabs, sweets, Chuckles and Easter ranges, as well as products like breakfast cereals, milkshakes, ice-creams, biscuits and desserts that have cocoa as an ingredient is responsibly sourced.
By choosing products made from responsibly sourced cocoa, consumers not only contribute positively to the lives of cocoa farmers and promote environmental sustainability, but are also able to enjoy a guilt-free indulgence. As consumer awareness continues to grow, the demand for responsibly sourced cocoa is poised to drive positive change within the cocoa supply chain, creating a sweeter and more sustainable future for all.