The Ferrero Group has released its latest annual sustainability report, which reveals near-complete traceability across its cocoa, palm oil and hazelnut operations, as the company marks a key 80th anniversary milestone, writes Neill Barston.

Notably, the Italian-founded business, which is set to make a key return to our World Confectionery Conference in London this September, also launched a decarbonisation hub for the business, enabling the company to chart its environmental performance with enhanced accuracy.

For our major industry gathering at America Square, Fabio Mora, senior VP of open innovation, is set to explore how the company is continuing its journey of engaging with external partners to forge new projects that deliver on its agenda of sustainable business practices.

In addition, our event will see the return of Francesco Tramontin (see our most recent interview with him below), the company’s vice president of public policy and institutional affairs, as part of our centrepiece Q&A on wider industry sustainability, including within cocoa supply chains, and the sector at large. Registration for our must-attend UK event is now open and can be done via the following direct link.  

As the company’s latest studies reveal, some 98% of its cocoa supply chain is now traceable down to plantation level with polygon mapping systems, with 98.6% for the firm’s palm oil supplies, and while its hazelnuts attained a 97% success rate – which will prove a crucial factor with the introduction of EUDR regulations at the end of this year.

The fresh report, covering the financial year 2024/2025 has focused on how it has delivered set action plans into measurable progress, highlighting the fact that sustainability has been embedded across all aspects of the business.

This spans its full target range across complete supply chains – from farms and communities, to factories, products and people, encompassed by its Ferrero Farming values framework. 

As the report noted, its overall performance continues on an upward trend, with the group attaining a consolidated turnover of €19.3bn for 2025, with the business operating a total of 36 production plants, and operating in more than 170 countries, with 48,697 employees.

Giovanni Ferrero, President of Ferrero Group, greeted the latest study, which he asserted had underlined its commitments to its staff, environment and wider communities.

“Ferrero’s long-term success remains closely linked to the wellbeing of the people and ecosystems on which our supply chain depends. Consumers are increasingly looking for brands they can trust — built on quality, good sourcing practices, careful manufacturing, and a genuine commitment to people and the planet.

Guided by our purpose and long-term vision, we will continue supporting initiatives related to the protection of natural resources, the support of our people, communities and partners and the creation of products that delight consumers for generations to come.” 

Continuing in his report addressing its core goals, the company’s president struck an optimistic tone, explaining that while there remained notable challenges in the market, there had been cause for positivity within its ranks, as its footprint and portfolio continue to expand around the globe.

He added: “This year we have made meaningful progress against
several of our key commitments, while recognising that complex issues such as climate, biodiversity and human rights will require continued focus in the years ahead, and in close collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.

“A pivotal milestone in the end of 2025 was the acquisition of WK Kellogg Co, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrero International S.A. This expansion into the cereals category represents a natural step in our growth journey
and a further test of our ability to scale responsibly, strengthening our footprint in North America and adding new manufacturing, marketing and distribution capabilities there.

“It also strengthens our ability to extend our sustainability commitments into new supply chains and to further enhance the efficiency and robustness of our global logistics network.”

Key focus areas
Rooted in Ferrero’s long-standing sacco conosciuto philosophy – “knowing what is in the bag” – Ferrero Farming Values is built around five core elements that include: Supplier due diligence, Supply chain traceability and visibility, Certification and standards, Farming practices and communities, Sector transformation

As the business noted, collaboration with stakeholders is essential to addressing systemic challenges. They provide a consistent, yet flexible framework to address the specific risks and opportunities of the supply chain for key ingredients such as cocoa, palm oil, hazelnuts, coffee and dairy.

“Ferrero Farming Values translates our sustainability approach into concrete actions across the sourcing of our key ingredients,” said Lapo Civiletti, Chief Executive Officer of Ferrero Group. “It provides a structured framework to strengthen supplier accountability, improve traceability and certification, support farmers, and drive collaboration across the sector — while allowing us to adapt to the specific realities of each ingredient supply chain.”

Report results
In terms of its wider results, the study found notable climate gains, including Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 7.2% year-on-year, supported by continued energy transition efforts, including 24 plants operating on 100% renewable electricity from the grid.

Furthermore, the business has completed its first Group-wide Water Corporate Footprint assessment and joined the Alliance for Water Stewardship, and a total of 92.9% of overall packaging was designed for recyclability, reusability or compostability, while 86.8% was recyclable, reusable or compostable in practice and at scale.

In addition, the redesign of Ferrero Rocher boxes contributed to a 14.7% reduction in the plastic-to-product ratio versus the 2019/20 baseline avoiding approximately 16,000 tons of plastic cumulatively since September 2021.

The company has also continued to champion responsible consumption of its product ranges, through its science-based Ferrero Nutrition Criteria to steer product innovation and guide portfolio evolution.

As regarding its social programme, it has devised a culture focusing on fostering working environment built on inclusion and respect, supporting employee development, wellbeing and human rights across operations.

Its Inclusion & Respect training program that reached 61 countries, with over 500 sessions delivered, while the annual YOU Survey showing an 86% participation rate, with Engagement and Enablement Index scores increasing by 3 and 7 points respectively.

Moreover, the company’s Joy of Moving Program: celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, reaching more than 4.9 million children across 35 countries and more than 60 million children worldwide since 2005, supported by a total of 130 expert partners.