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Cocoa
Creating a fair and sustainable cocoa sector
Our challenges related to the cocoa sector
Our cocoa strategy is evolving to this day and it is structured around our three fundamental principles:
- improving the living and working conditions of farmers,
- protecting the environment
- preserving the soil and flavors.
Improving conditions in schools and communities’ health and hygiene are major focus areas which improve our relationships on the ground, as are protecting forest areas and reducing carbon emissions.
The cocoa team is ramping up its commitment to its partners so that we can set up joint projects that impact producers’ and families’ living conditions.
Our objectives and progress
100% Traceability
of cocoa beans can be traced back to the producer. Target: maintain 100% by 2025.
60% traceability
for cacao beans from the farm parcel. Target: 100% by 2025.
93% of the producer countries
visited at least once per calendar year. Target: 100% by 2025.
14 countries
have a long-term partnership
99.8% of our cacao
purchased through a partnership of at least 3 years.
8.5 years
average lenght of a partnership.
16,979 producers
Long Term Partnership
At Valrhona, we work to create a fair and sustainable cocoa sector by building close, mutually beneficial relationships with our 16,979 cocoa producers. We do this by forging long-term partnerships with producer organizations who share our vision and focus on quality and traceability.
From the construction of housing and schools to the protection of rare cocoa varieties, the projects we carry out together reflect our commitment to producing communities and the environment.
Traceability
At Valrhona, 100% of our cocoa is traced from our producers around the world. 60% of cocoa beans can be traced back to the individual plot with an objective of 100% by 2025.
This traceability is the basis for creating a fair and sustainable industry.
It allows us to know where our cocoa comes from, who harvested it and under what conditions.
This helps to improve the living and working conditions of producers and to fight against deforestation, while guaranteeing the quality of our cocoa beans.
Protecting the forest and its biodiversity
We are committed to protecting the forests in the 14 countries where we source our cocoa. We know that tropical farming, including of cocoa, is one of the main causes of deforestation and biodiversity loss.
This environmental damage not only contributes to climate change, but also threatens the future of our producers and supply chain. This is why we must ensure the conservation of the environmental heritage of producer countries and work with our cocoa-producing partners to promote responsible farming.
Education and combatting child labor
Child labor is a major problem facing the entire cocoa and chocolate sector. Due to our belief that to have the greatest impact any action must be collective, we joined the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) in 2017. Since 2018, Valrhona and the Valrhona Solidarity Fund have helped to improve access to education in three countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana and Venezuela.
Key figures
- 8 schools were built and 3 renovated in 3 countries (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Venezuela)
- 50 classes welcomed students in good educational conditions
- In 2022, 2,555 students benefited from new school infrastructure.
Preserving the soil and flavors
We aim to maintain the diversity of the tastes we offer. The soil, climate, genetic diversity of plants and human expertise shape the tastes and subtleties of agricultural products. Participating in sustainable sectors also involves preserving and identifying new tastes and cocoa varieties that are part of the national heritage of our partner countries. These projects help create jobs in rural areas and boost the agricultural sector. For us, these projects will also be sources of innovation in order to offer new chocolates and inspire our customers.
