COCOA GROWING

Growing cocoa is no simple task, which is why we are working with cocoa farmers to help improve their farms. 90% of the world’s cocoa beans are harvested on small, family-run farms with less than two hectares of land and an average yield of just 600-800 kg per year. And most of this cocoa comes from West Africa.

Low productivity, low farmer incomes and limited development in farming communities has created a cycle that must be broken for cocoa farming to be sustainable.

Cocoa is also a delicate, sensitive plant. It requires high rainfall and temperatures to grow, as well as rainforest trees to offer shade and protection from too much light and damage caused by wind. Because cocoa farms are sensitive to this type of climate, they can only flourish in a narrow band of countries between 20 degrees north and south of the equator.

As the one of the world’s largest chocolate makers, we have a stake in protecting these origins. We do so through Cocoa Life, which is active across all major cocoa origins from Africa to Asia to the Americas. We are committed to making a difference in these communities.

Did you know?

  • Five to six million farmers grow cocoa along the equatorial belt