Fairtrade and the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, have announced an expanded partnership aimed at helping farmers and agricultural workers to diversify and access new markets.
In a statement, Fairtrade said: ‘Risk assessment and collaboration with farmers and workers are cornerstones of sustainable supply chains and essential for evolving due diligence requirements’.
Fairtrade has announced an update to its Cocoa Standard with a reinforced focus on human rights, the fight against deforestation, traceability, and living incomes across the sector.
Cocoa farmers, as well as workers in other commodities and crops, experienced a boost in Fairtrade Premium earnings thanks to a recovery in Fairtrade product sales throughout 2021, Fairtrade International’s latest annual report has revealed.
The Government of Belize has launched a new initiative to tackle child labour and reduce its incidence by eliminating the worst forms by 2025 following extended dialogue with national stakeholders, cooperatives, and social justice organizations, including...
Research reveals Fairtrade Standards, Fairtrade pricing, and producer support programmes positively impact certified farmers and their communities when compared to non-Fairtrade certified farmers, particularly in times of difficulty and distress.
Divine Chocolate, the only Fairtrade and B Corp certified chocolate company to be co-owned by cocoa farmers, has said it has strengthened farmer empowerment initiatives and has joined multi-stakeholder Agroforestry project with HALBA in Switzerland.
Fairtrade International has announced Sandra Uwera will become its new Global CEO following the departure of Dr Nyagoy Nyong’o, who served as Interim Global CEO until last month.
The Annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, which kicks off on Monday 21 February, is set to highlight the impact of the climate crisis on cocoa and other commodities – as well as renewing its call for fairer incomes for farmers.
Divine Chocolate, co-owned by Kuapa Kokoo cooperative of 100,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana, is celebrating its unique partnership by adding three new 90g flavours to its collection along with a packaging refresh.
Leading UK bakery chain Greggs has announced that it has committed to using 100% Fairtrade chocolate across its supply chain and in all chocolate products sold through its shops.
Divine Chocolate’s adult literacy and numeracy programme, which helps cocoa-growing communities in West Africa, has revealed it has so far helped 235 farmers to read and write - 171 of which are women.
UK start-up Fellow Creatures has developed a plant-based chocolate its founder says is a far cry from the ‘sickly sweet’ vegan offerings currently on-shelf.
Cocoa farmers in Cote d’Ivoire are set to earn higher prices for their beans, as ice cream icon Ben & Jerry’s pledges to pay more to provide living incomes for cocoa farmers.
Fairtrade International has announced sales of Fairtrade certified cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased farmers’ earnings by approximately $15.1m compared to non-Fairtrade cocoa.
To truly understand and implement an effective sustainability initiative, it’s critical to evaluate the social, environmental and economic impacts of production.
Confectionery expert Andy Baxendale, aka The Sweet Consultant, has partnered with Colombian chocolate producer Luker to expand the supply of its products into the UK.
Fairtrade Fortnight continues with nationwide engagement that tells true stories of two female cocoa farmers who are fighting back against exploitation, poverty wages and climate change in cocoa communities in West Africa.
Divine Chocolate was established in 1998 by a co-operative of cocoa farmers in Ghana that owns 44% of the company and shares in its profit. Its cocoa is Fairtrade certified and 100% traceable.
The German grocer has augmented its existing sustainable chocolate policy for private-label products as part of its overarching ‘Way To Go’ program of responsible sourcing.
Raw Halo vegan chocolate made from ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients, is rebranding with a new look, recyclable, plastic-free packaging, and additional flavors.
The sustainable chocolate maker spent three years developing a solution for its truffles, as part of its commitment to packaging its full portfolio in recyclable or compostable material by 2020.
Following an investigation published in The Washington Post in June, two Democratic lawmakers requested that existing laws prohibiting such imports be enforced.
ConfectioneryNews spoke with three facets of the industry – a leading certifier, a boutique producer, and a nonprofit – to understand the potential efficacy of higher prices paid to farmers.
London-based Divine Chocolate is leading the way in the field of ethical and sustainable chocolate as Ghanaian cocoa farmer cooperative plays a key part in UK’s international exporting success with the United States being its biggest market.
Almost 230,00 cocoa farmers to benefit from Fairtrade’s new version of its main standard for small-scale farmers, making them more resilient to market prices and climate change.
As part of the She Deserves campaign to highlight the role of women on cocoa farms, Fairtrade Foundation unveiled a secret hot chocolate salon in East London and hosted a reception at the House of Parliament.
Dr John Sentamu says it is ‘shameful and inexcusable’ that cocoa farmers are living on as little as 75p a day and backs The Fairtrade Foundation’s new report to increase living incomes in line with UN’s Global Goals to end poverty.
Tony’s Chocoloney will take its slave-free chocolate mission on the road this spring, launching a ‘Bean to Bar Journey’ experiential truck at South by Southwest in March.
Not only is Fairafric the first organic chocolate bar that is manufactured and packed in Ghana, it has begun making its cocoa farmers brand co-owners by buying them shares in the company.
Farmer organizations will be guaranteed a higher price for cocoa sales on Fairtrade terms, as part of foundation’s strategy towards enabling living incomes it said. Changes will come into effect October 2019.
Fairtrade International’s cocoa beans have seen the highest growth in sales during 2016-2017 compared to its other certified goods, including coffee, sugar and tea. However, most West African cocoa farmers still do not earn a living income.
Half the major agriculture, fishery and forestry sustainability standards fail to show they improve the environment or the lives of poor farmers, new report claims.
Mondelēz International has partnered with Fairtrade to grow the chocolate maker’s own program Cocoa Life to cover all Cadbury products in the UK & Ireland.
Eight-minute podcast: Fairtrade’s new cocoa director
Fairtrade International plans next year to review its minimum price and premium for certified cocoa against a study measuring the drivers of income for farmers.
