Positive results for UTZ
Appearing on more than 20,000 different products in 135 countries and reaching more than 910,000 farmers and workers worldwide, sustainability programme and label, UTZ Certified, has released its 2014 Annual Report confirming its ongoing positive impact on close to one million people.
In 2014, companies sourced more UTZ certified coffee, cocoa and tea than ever before, which includes 9.7 billion milk chocolate bars of 100g (up 32 per cent).
“Over recent years we have seen incredible growth in the UTZ programme, and it’s all thanks to collaboration with our many partners including companies, NGOs, funders, and other sustainability standards,” says Han de Groot, executive director UTZ Certified. “I’m proud that we are inspiring our members to join the global journey to sustainability, and that we are enabling them to tell their own sustainability stories.”
Among a broad range of challenges faced by the sector, UTZ highlights three important areas of action: climate change, productivity and traceability.
Climate change is now a serious concern for farmers. UTZ reviewed the Code of Conduct in 2014 to strengthen the good agricultural practices providing farmers with more and better access to knowledge and alternative farming methods. The new code includes measures to help farmers tackle climate change, with a focus on awareness raising, risk assessments and diversification of production.
Farmers in the UTZ programme are trained in good agricultural practices. This means they produce more, and achieve better quality at lower costs.
UTZ certified cocoa farmer Kouassi N’Guessan Nick from Ivory Coast states, “Since we are in the programme the cocoa farm has produced more: we had 1.2 tons in 2011-2012, and then 1.825 tons in 2013-2014. In this way the UTZ programme allowed me to build my house!”
A study conducted on cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast showed that UTZ farmers had higher yields, harvesting 453kg compared to 329kg for non-UTZ farmers. Of these farmers, 37 per cent report improved cocoa quality since joining the UTZ programme.
The studies in the report also show that UTZ farmers see lower production costs, which coupled with higher prices, mean that UTZ farmers receive a higher net income.
UTZ has made great strides and impact on the coffee, cocoa and tea sector; marking 2014 with increased global presence and regional offices in 20 countries. 2015 will be the year UTZ increases its efforts in the recently entered sectors hazelnuts, herbal tea and rice and look beyond certification; participating in the redesign of the sustainability agenda and address issues that influence the sustainability debate at sector level, contributing to making sustainable farming the norm.
