The Italian multinational Ferrero will double the amount of cocoa it purchases from Fairtrade farmers, to 40,000 metric tonnes over the next three years. “The Fairtrade cocoa program is a key component of reaching our objective of 100 percent certified sustainable cocoa by 2020,” says Aldo Cristiano, who is responsible for Ferrero’s sustainability programs. “We also pursue the same objective for cane sugar, and our experience from the collaboration over the last few years shows that we have found a good partner in Fairtrade.”
INVESTMENTS IN STRONG COOPERATIVES – Speaking at the World Cocoa Conference, Ferrero also announced a new collaboration with Fairtrade on cane sugar, with plans to source 20,000 metric tonnes of Fairtrade cane sugar between mid-2016 and 2019. “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.”
GROWTH THROUGH THE FAIRTRADE COCOA PROGRAM – Ferrero’s collaboration with Fairtrade began in 2014 when the Italy’s giant has sourced cocoa from Fairtrade cooperatives in Cote D’Ivoire , making it possible for them to sell a substantially higher proportion of their crops on Fairtrade terms. Training on good agricultural practices has helps the cooperative members to increase their productivity and the quality of their cocoa. Long-term partnerships with companies such as Ferrero enable small-scale farmers to plan for their future. This kind of stability is an important factor in driving sustainable development,” said Marina Vanin. “Farmers need access to market information and technical knowledge to ensure long-lasting, sustainable supply chains”. Training and programmes tailored to local needs are a key part of Fairtrade’s strategy to enable small-scale farmer organizations to grow and flourish.