Callebaut ‘Growing Great Chocolate’ Program Grew By a Third In 2013

16 Apr 2014 --- Callebaut presented today the latest news on its Growing Great Chocolate program. Under it Callebaut has been since 2012 producing its entire Finest Belgian Chocolate range with sustainable cocoa. As of the end of August 2013, Callebaut was training nearly 40 000 cocoa farmers. Compared with 2012, this is an increase of 33% in the number of trained farmers.

And Callebaut will continue to focus this year on increasing farmer field schools, academies, mobile educational trucks, and the total number of trained farmers.

The Growing Great Chocolate program was launched on 1 May 2012. The decisive step to choose for sustainable cocoa was made with Callebaut customers in mind, recognizing their requirements for high quality chocolate with sustainable cultivation. With the program, Callebaut is involved at the source in training farmers, thus increasing both the quality and quantity of cocoa beans, therefore, quality and quantity of its Finest Belgian Chocolate.

The improvements in the last year were aided strongly by Cocoa Horizons, an initiative founded in 2012 by Barry Callebaut with the objectives of doubling the yield per hectare of cocoa farmers (+800 kg/ha) by 2018 and significantly improving cocoa quality by eliminating the main obstacles to a sustainable cocoa supply chain: three key gaps in knowledge, materials and funding. By aiding the farmers in their practices, Cocoa Horizons seeks to bridge these gaps, and, ensuring a holistic standpoint, it also prioritizes education and access to health care.
 
Thanks to Cocoa Horizons, Callebaut’s Growing Great Chocolate program has more trained farmers across an increased number of cooperatives who are able to farm with greater skill, yield more cocoa, and thus benefit from an increased income. Additionally as important, adults and youth benefit from literacy courses, life skills and vocational training, as well as educational infrastructure. Understanding that remote cocoa farming areas often lack medical facilities and access to clean water, Cocoa Horizons works with farmers and communities to improve access to basic health care services and water, distributing mosquito nets, sponsoring vaccinations and funding boreholes.
   
As of the end of August 2013, Callebaut was training nearly 40 000 cocoa farmers. This is compared with 2012 an increase of 33% in the number of trained farmers. For 2014 Callebaut continues to focus on increasing farmer field schools, academies, mobile educational trucks, and the total number of trained farmers.

 ‘We are proud to be making such a difference in the quality of our cocoa, in the yields, and in the lives of the farmers on the ground.’ says Cathy Manlow, Callebaut Brand Development Manager. ‘We continue to believe in Growing Great Chocolate, and in addition to thanking our dedicated Cocoa Horizons team and the diligent work of our partnered farmers, we'd also like to thank our customers, as we couldn't make a difference without their passion for our Finest Belgian Chocolate.’