Mondelez publishes progress report on Cocoa Life initiative

U.S.-based Mondelez International's Cocoa Life Sustainability program has assisted 76,700 farmers in nearly 800 communities since it began in 2012. 

The program covers the cocoa-growing regions of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, India and Brazil.

Mondelez reports that farmers in the Cocoa Life regions have experienced tripled incomes since 2009; their cocoa production has grown by 37 percent.

“This progress report brings together the voices of people in cocoa communities across all our origins and demonstrates how the program is working together with local governments, our suppliers and partners to build lasting change on the ground,” Cathy Pieters, Cocoa Life program director, said. “Cocoa Life integrates the work of our stakeholders to achieve common goals in ways that are relevant and tailored to Cocoa Life farming communities around the world.”

Mondelez is the world's largest chocolate company and cocoa buyer. The company invested $400 million in the Cocoa Life program to ensure a stable cocoa supply.

“I’m proud of our Cocoa Life program and the transformative impact we are having on our cocoa supply chain and the communities we source cocoa from, as shown in this report,” César Melo, president of Global Chocolate at Mondelez, said. “Cocoa Life connects the beginning and end of the cocoa supply chain so farmers can see how their cocoa crop contributes to the chocolate we enjoy. As Cocoa Life grows and expands its reach, we will continue to be transparent about our measures for success and key learnings, and share the progress we are making against our goals.”