has announced it is on target to achieve 100% cocoa from sustainable sources by the end of 2015, claiming that it will be the first major confectionery company in the UK and Ireland to achieve this milestone.By working with UTZ Certified, over 60% of cocoa purchased by Nestlé UK & Ireland already comes from certified farms working with the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. This year alone, certified cocoa will be sourced for brands such as Quality Street, Toffee Crisp, Munchies Blue Riband and Breakaway. In 2013, Nestlé UK and Ireland bought certified cocoa for Smarties, Yorkie and Aero. Kit Kat 4 and 2 Finger became Fairtrade certified in 2010 and 2012 respectively.
“Nestlé UK & Ireland is set to be the first to reach this landmark goal, making a real difference to farmers and their communities,” said Andrew McIver, confectionery managing director, Nestlé UK & Ireland. “For Quality Street, Nestlé has started purchasing certified cocoa and these products will be on the shelves in time for Christmas this year. This means we are on track to reach 100% by the end of 2015.”
In 2009, Nestlé announced that over the next 10 years it would invest CHF 110 million into plant science and sustainability initiatives as part of its broader Nestlé Cocoa Plan, which was developed to support small scale cocoa farmers around the world. Those who benefit include farmers in the Ivory Coast, one of the poorest countries in the world but the source of 40 per cent of the world’s cocoa. UTZ Certified and The Fairtrade Foundation are both partners of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. In addition, Nestlé is a member of Fair Labor Association and work collaboratively with them to investigate whether children are working on cocoa farms which are supplying its factories.
UTZ certification is awarded to farmers who have been trained to grow better crops, generate more income and create opportunities whilst safeguarding the environment and natural resources. Monitored by independent third parties, the farms and businesses involved must ensure sound agricultural practices, safe and healthy working conditions and must not use child labour.
“We have seen the willingness of leading companies to invest in and commit to sustainability grow strongly over the last couple of years,” said Han de Groot, executive director of UTZ Certified. “With Nestlé UK & Ireland’s commitment, UTZ Certified reaches a new milestone, endorsing the sustainability efforts of this market leader, and creating opportunities for cocoa producers worldwide to better market their product and improve their livelihoods.”
Kit Kat 2-Finger is said to be the biggest Fairtrade item behind only bananas in terms of items sold and was a significant factor in the sale of Fairtrade cocoa increasing by 30% in 2013 compared to 2012. The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the Fairtrade Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label appears on products to show that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal from trade. Today, more than 1.5 million people – farmers and workers – across 66 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.
