Barry Callebaut to produce sustainable chocolate for Japanese market

Swiss cocoa products company Barry Callebaut has collaborated with Japan’s local chocolate manufacturers, artisans, retailers, and wholesalers to produce sustainable chocolate for the Japanese market.

As part of its new initiative, Barry Callebaut hosted a virtual press event with Japanese firms, including Morinaga, Yuraku Confectionery, FamilyMart Co., G+ Spread, Le Chocolat De H, Chocolate Design and J.Maeda, to voice a shared ambition for a sustainable future.

According to Barry Callebaut’s ‘Forever Chocolate Sustainability Consumer Research’, more than 70% of Japanese consumers prefer sustainable chocolate products as they are perceived to be more trustworthy, offer better quality and align with their values.

Carried out last year, the research indicated that 75% of Japanese consumers prefer to purchase sustainable chocolate products because of its feel-good factor while 50% noted that they would purchase sustainable chocolate in the future.

Barry Callebaut Japan managing director Pascale Meulemeester said: “Our bold mission is to change the entire chocolate industry in Japan. We cannot do this alone, and we are not alone.

“The new Japanese consumers care deeply about our planet and its people and today, as we stand together to represent the chocolate industry in Japan, we are serious about sustainability. Together we will leave a legacy of change for generations to come.”

Since Barry Callebaut launched Forever Chocolate, the company aimed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025.

The Swiss company has also called for a systemic change to the cocoa and chocolate value chain globally over the past few years.

In March, Japan’s Yuraku Confectionery announced that it will be using 100% sustainable chocolate in all its highly popular Black Thunder chocolate bars by 2025.

In addition, Japanese confectionery maker Morinaga has announced that it will also launch its sustainable chocolate products in the coming weeks.

In July, Barry Callebaut announced that it aims to become forest positive by 2025, as part of its ‘Forever Chocolate’ commitment.