It has joined Fairtrade International’s new Cocoa Program, which allows manufacturers to bulk buy a single commodity as Fairtrade, such as 10% or 30%, using a special program mark.
Previously only the full Fairtrade mark existed and forced companies to source all ingredients for a brand on Fairtrade terms.
Ferrero is working towards 100% third-party verified sustainable cocoa by 2020.
The firm’s cocoa volumes were estimated at 135,000 metric tons in 2010, according to the Tropical Commodity Coalition.
“The future of cocoa farming communities, indeed the future of cocoa, depends on commitments like this,” said Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade International CEO.
Ferrero will source the cocoa from Fairtrade certified cooperatives in Cote d’Ivoire. The company already sources part of its supply from UTZ Certified, Rainforest Alliance and Source Trust.