Announcing its 2012 annual report, UTZ Certified says that it saw a strong increase in sustainably produced UTZ coffee, cocoa and tea worldwide.
Sales of certified coffees rose by 38% to a total volume of 188,096 metric tons. Cocoa sales with the UTZ label grew even more strongly with a 178% increase leading to a total of 118,641 metric tons. Tea sales increased by 5% to 3,074 metric tons.
Responsibly produced products are available for consumers around the world, said the organisation; UTZ labelled products reached 104 countries last year. Of total worldwide coffee production, 8% is now certified by UTZ.
Although the cocoa program is much younger, it already exceeds the coffee figures: 13% of the worldwide cocoa production meets the strict requirements of the UTZ label.
Scaling up volumes, increasing industry commitment and a large, solid network of farmers are important drivers for the 2012 numbers, said UTZ Certified. In the past 10 years, UTZ Certified says that it has become one of the largest programs and labels for sustainable farming of coffee, cocoa and tea worldwide.
By working together with brands that source sustainable raw materials on a large scale like Mars, Ahold, IKEA, D.E Master Blenders 1753, Migros, Tchibo and Nestlé, UTZ Certified believes that it can can make a difference for many farmers at a fast pace: already, half a million farmers have joined the UTZ Certified program.
