World Cocoa Foundation

Cocoa’s growing contribution to Ecuador’s economy highlights both progress and challenges in the sector.??? ? With the invaluable support of the Ecuadorian Embassy in Brussels and José Villena, Vice Minister of Export and Investment Promotion, WCF President Chris Vincent completed a successful visit to Ecuador. ? During his meetings with Luis Alberto Jaramillo G., Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries; Merlyn Casanova Loor of ANECACAO Ecuador; Eduardo Egas Pe?a, President of CORPEI; and many member companies, it was evident that cocoa’s contribution to Ecuador’s economy is growing significantly. This progress is driven in part by the high farm gate prices benefiting cocoa farmers. ? However, there is still important work ahead, especially regarding compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), improving traceability, and conducting robust deforestation risk assessments. ? Together, we are committed to sustainable growth in the cocoa sector while addressing these critical issues. A special thank you to the Embassy of Ecuador in Belgium and Luxembourg, Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Ambassador?Xavier?Aliaga Sancho, and Deputy Ambassador Agustin Fornell for their invaluable support. We look forward to continuing discussions with the Minister in Brussels this week.

?? Introducing the African Regional Standard for Sustainable Cocoa (ARS-1000) – a landmark framework developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO to professionalise cocoa production and promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability. At the World Cocoa Foundation, we are proud to collaborate with Ghana and C?te d’Ivoire on its implementation, supporting farmers, cooperatives, and stakeholders as they adopt this standard. ARS-1000 will help enhance farming practices, protect labour rights, and strengthen traceability, ensuring African cocoa remains competitive in global markets, including the EU. Want to learn more? Dive into the key facts about ARS-1000 and its role in shaping a sustainable future for cocoa:?https://lnkd.in/efGy8mPG

Joint Study with Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on the Incomes of Cocoa-Producing Households published! A joint study by the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, the Ghana Cocoa Board-COCOBOD, and other partners such as the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and BFH-HAFL has highlighted significant economic challenges cocoa farmers face in Ghana.? Browse through the short version below or access the full version of the paper here ?? ? https://lnkd.in/e7Cvr2_v Based on surveys of 600 farming households and 22 focus group discussions during the 2022/23 cocoa harvest, the study found that:? 1?? Cocoa farmers in Ghana earn an ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ????,?????? (USD 2,021).? 2?? 91% of the surveyed households earn below the adjusted Living Income Benchmark of GHS 52,970 (USD 4,315).?? 3?? Despite an increase in the farmgate price of cocoa in April and September 2024, prices remain insufficient to achieve a Living Income.?? 4?? Beyond price, the ?????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????????????????????????. A big thank you to the authors and contributors Isaac Manu (PhD), Dawud Enning Koduah, Francis Baah, George Ahenkorah-Frimpong, Joseph Bandanaa (Ph.D.), Katharina Ineichen, Rebecca Schmid, Johan Blockeel, Esther Waldmeier and Nicoletta Lumaldo. #CocoaFarmers #SustainableCocoa #Livelihoods #LivingIncome #Sustainability #CHIS

The new Cocoa Household Income Study (CHIS) is a breakthrough methodology that harmonises and ensures the availability of comprehensive household income evaluation data and an approach across the cocoa sector. We are proud to have participated in a webinar held by the Alliance for Living Income (ALICO) and you can now learn more about CHIS in the slides below!

?? Today at #COP29 in Baku, WCF President Chris Vincent addresses the importance of green finance for #SustainableCocoa. ? When the #CocoaAndForestsInitiative (CFI) launched in 2017, the sector faced limited accountability, fragmented reporting, and diverse approaches within supply chains. Fast forward to today: private sector investments and innovative programming have grown significantly, yet the impact on deforestation rates at a national level remains limited. ? Chris emphasises the need for collaborative, landscape-focused strategies and a diverse finance mix to drive lasting change. The opportunities are immense, but closing the gap between project readiness and investor expectations will be key. Together, we are paving the way for more collective impact. ? Thank you, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Sustainable Forestry Coalition, for leading this insightful exchange.?

For the past three years, the World Cocoa Foundation and its members—The Hershey Company, ofi, Barry Callebaut Group, Lindt & Sprüngli, Mars, Nestlé, Mondelēz International, Beyond Beans Foundation, SUCDEN Groupe Sucres & Denrées, Touton SA, Guittard Chocolate Company, ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd., and Cargill—have proudly partnered with Ghana Cocoa Board-COCOBOD to honour female cocoa entrepreneurs through the "Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer" award during Ghana’s National Farmers’ Day. This award celebrates women who excel in cocoa production and best practices, inspiring others across the sector. The initiative has built a strong platform for recognising female leaders, earning praise from the government and industry alike. In 2024, WCF and its members elevated the award, with the national winner receiving GHS 80K and a cargo tricycle, and regional winners from Ghana's 10 cocoa regions awarded GHS 20K and essential farm tools. Together, we stand for gender equity and empowering women in cocoa farming. #EmpoweringWomen #SustainableCocoa #NationalFarmersDay

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is expanding its team in Abidjan, CDI. If you are an Economist seeking to make an impact in #SustainableCocoa, don't miss your chance to join ICCO!

Ready to make an impact by engaging with stakeholders in the funding and investment community, to support sustainability in the cocoa sector??We want to hear from you! WCF keeps growing and seeks an experienced interim Programme Development and Environment Lead to lead our priority projects throughout 2025. You will drive key initiatives, including the #CocoaAndForests Initiative (CFI).? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eKPDA63x

More than 90% of the world’s cocoa comes from 5–6 million smallholder farmers. However, many face poverty in rural areas of West Africa. Limited resources, low yields, and small farm sizes drive challenges like child labour and deforestation. Since 2015, the cocoa sector has been striving to secure living incomes for farming families. Yet, barriers in data collection and sharing have slowed progress. That's why we have developed the Cocoa Household Income Study (CHIS)—a unified, sector-wide approach to accurately assess and uplift household incomes. By tackling these challenges together, we can drive impact at scale.?Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBHRUR4x KIT Institute Wageningen University & Research Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa #SustainableCocoa

We are thrilled to participate in an insightful exchange with esteemed colleagues from the #SustainableCocoa sector. Join us today at 13:00 UTC! https://lnkd.in/evCt-8-M