Ferrero pledges to double Fairtrade cocoa purchases

Confectionery brand Ferrero has said it will double the amount of cocoa it purchases from Fairtrade farmers to 40,000 metric tonnes over the next three years.

Ferrero has sourced cocoa from Fairtrade cooperatives in Cote D’Ivoire since 2014, making it possible for them to sell a higher proportion of their crops on Fairtrade terms. And according to Ferrero, training on sustainable agricultural practices has helped cooperative members to increase their productivity and the quality of their cocoa.

Fairtrade also provides cooperatives with training on gender equality and child rights. Projects to prevent child labour build on the capacity of children and youth to contribute to self-monitoring, managing and tackling child labour within their own lives and farming communities.

At the World Cocoa Conference last month, the confectionery brand also announced plans to source 20,000 metric tonnes of Fairtrade cane sugar between mid-2016 and 2019.

More than 62,000 small scale farmers across 19 countries produce Fairtrade certified sugar, in regions such as Central America, Southern Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Sugar farmers received €10.2 million of Fairtrade Premium globally in 2014, according to Ferrero, money which they can reinvest in organisational infrastructure, training, improvements in productivity or good agricultural practices.

Policy changes are severely impacting imports of sugar to Europe, putting the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers in developing countries at risk, the brand added.

“Ferrero’s long-term commitment means cocoa farmers in Cote D’Ivoire and sugar farmers in countries such as Costa Rica are going to benefit from secured sales and the additional Fairtrade Premium,” said Marina Vanin, global cocoa director at Fairtrade International.

“Research has shown that Fairtrade farmers benefit the most when they can sell a significant percentage of their crops on Fairtrade terms.”

The Fairtrade cocoa and cane sugar programmes are a key component of Ferrero’s goal to reach 100% certified sustainable cocoa and cane sugar by 2020.

Through the programmes, farmers can sell their crops to companies that are committed to sourcing a key commodity fairly and sustainably, to use across product ranges or their whole businesses.

“Long-term partnerships with companies such as Ferrero enable small scale farmers to plan for their future,” added Marina Vanin. “This kind of stability is an important factor in driving sustainable development. Farmers need access to market information and technical knowledge to ensure long-lasting, sustainable supply chains.”