Barry Callebaut works with key partners to improve coconut sustainability

Together with Nestlé and Proforest, Barry Callebaut said it is launching a scorecard to define and develop the previously underestimated issue of sustainable practices in coconut production.

In September 2020, Barry Callebaut launched the world's first coconut charter to work on sustainable coconut production, which is describes as a ‘promising start’

The sustainability challenges in coconut production

According to Barry Callebaut, in recent years, there has been rapid growth of the global coconut market, paired with significant and yet untackled sustainability challenges.

These include aging trees, natural disasters, complex value chains and producers lacking in market, finance and technical know-how. The result has been low quality produce, low income for producers and little incentive to improve practices across the board, despite a growing market.

Madeleine Eilert, Sustainable Sourcing Lead for Coconut at Nestlé, said: “We are dedicated to achieving transparency and traceability in our supply chains, including in sourcing coconut as a raw material for our products.​

“The supplier scorecard and origins assessment we are developing together with Barry Callebaut will enable us to fully understand current and future challenges in sourcing this raw material and to address gaps in sustainable coconut production. This set of tools will also be beneficial in creating an alignment among companies and defining a common framework to drive changes in the industry.”​

First of its kind

“The Sustainable Coconut Charter is a first of its kind voluntary framework for companies in the coconut industry and represents a collective commitment and a harmonised approach to making a difference to the planet, people and business​,” said Oliver von Hagen, Director of Sustainability Global Ingredients at Barry Callebaut Group.

Since the launch of the Sustainable Coconut Charter, Barry Callebaut said it has witnessed “great momentum with over 40 companies, NGOs and other stakeholders expressing interest to align their approach toward sustainable coconut production​”.