Barry Callebaut Focuses on Sustainable Chocolate

Barry Callebaut released its 2020/2021 progress report on the Forever Chocolate initiative launched in 2016. According to the report:

• It sourced 43% of cocoa beans and 66% of other chocolate components such as milk, sugar and nuts in line with sustainability programs.
• More than 200,000 cocoa farmers in its direct supply chain were lifted out of poverty. It identified more than 25,000 child labor cases and implemented activities to address the issue.
• Through efficient resource utilization practices implemented in 59 factories worldwide, it recorded a reduction of more than 17% in carbon intensity per ton of product and reduced its carbon footprint by close to 8%.
• Barry Callebaut ranked in the top 3 for the third consecutive time among 205 food companies assessed by international sustainability rating organization Sustainalytics in the area of supply chain risk management.

Focusing on sustainable chocolate by 2025 through the "Forever Chocolate" initiative

Barry Callebaut, believing it has both a commercial and moral obligation to address problems in the chocolate supply chain, focused the "Forever Chocolate" initiative through 2025 on transforming sustainable chocolate into a norm, securing the future of cocoa supply, and improving farmer livelihoods. The company released its "Forever Chocolate" initiative 2020/2021 progress report with targets including environmentally responsible and carbon-positive production, zero child labor, improved welfare for more than 500,000 cocoa producers, and production with 100% sustainable sources by 2025. The Progress Report demonstrates Barry Callebaut's improvements in resource utilization, support for cocoa farming communities, reduced resource consumption in its factories, and efforts to engage stakeholders by promoting sustainably sourced chocolate purchases. Aims to improve welfare of more than 500,000 cocoa producers by 2025 Through the program, more than 200,000 cocoa farmers joined Barry Callebaut's supply chain. Supporting improved living standards for more than 200,000 cocoa farmers in its direct supply chain, the company provides farm training services to more than 125,000 farmers to improve farming methods, increase productivity, diversify income and enhance farming practices. Additionally, more than 92,000 farmers have begun implementing Barry Callebaut's 10-year Farm Business Plan. Targets elimination of child labor in supply chain by 2025 Because child labor is prevalent in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, Barry Callebaut, seeking to prevent this through its Forever Chocolate program, identified more than 25,000 child labor cases in the region and implemented activities to address the issue. Following a program that brings together partnerships of local government institutions, social welfare specialists, community planners, teachers and local religious leaders to prevent child labor and protect children's rights, the company organized child labor awareness training for all farmers in 237 cocoa farms in the region and launched incentive and support activities to encourage children's educational participation. Additionally, cocoa farmers received training in effective farming and financial literacy to develop their skills.

Production with 100% sustainable sources by 2025

Within the framework of Forever Chocolate targets, Barry Callebaut sources 43% of cocoa beans and 66% of other chocolate components such as milk, sugar and nuts in line with sustainability programs. With the aim of sourcing milk in the most sustainable manner possible, La Morella Nuts, one of the company's brands that established the VisionDairy Charter, became the first hazelnut company to obtain Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) certification.

Environmentally responsible and carbon-positive production by 2025

The company increased renewable energy use in 26 factories as part of efforts to improve energy efficiency of its operations and the types of energy it uses in order to reduce emissions. Through efficient resource utilization practices implemented in 59 factories worldwide, it recorded a reduction of more than 17% in carbon intensity per ton of product and reduced its carbon footprint by close to 8%. It began reforestation of 300 hectares of degraded forest area in Côte d'Ivoire. Following tree-planting activities, it achieved a total CO2e reduction of 240,000 tCO2e in this reporting period according to the Gold Standard Value Chain Intervention methodology.

Top 3 ranking among 205 companies once again

With results from the "Forever Chocolate" initiative 2020/2021 progress report, Barry Callebaut succeeded in ranking in the top 3 for the third consecutive time among 205 food companies assessed by international sustainability rating organization Sustainalytics in the area of supply chain risk management. Speaking on the matter, Barry Callebaut CEO Peter Boone stated: "We have initiated major transformation in the sector. However, to achieve our targets, we need to go beyond Barry Callebaut to expand and deepen our area of impact. We are ready for strategic partnerships with public institutions, social organizations, industry players, and cocoa farmers. Together we can achieve collective and effective transformation," he said.