Blommer Chocolate to invest in cocoa sustainability initiative

Blommer Chocolate, a leading cocoa processor and chocolate supplier in North America, plans to invest $45m in cocoa sustainability efforts by 2020, under its Sustainable Origins programme.

Through the investment, Blommer Chocolate plans to add nearly 50,000 cocoa farmers globally, which will take its total farmer base to 100,000. The money will also be used to support farmer training programmes in West Africa, Indonesia and the Americas.

Farmer groups will be trained in pre and post-harvest agronomic practices to boost cocoa yields and quality, which will result in positive impact on family income, the company said.

The training programmes, which will be based on the needs and challenges of farmers, will also focus on safe farming practices, environment stewardship, and the proper role of children on the farm, among other topics.

Blommer Chocolate president and COO Peter Blommer said that true sustainability can only be achieved through programmes and activities that are self-sustaining.

"As a multi-generational family business we believe that our industry has an obligation to help provide the education and tools necessary for farmers to improve quality, productivity and gain market transparency – not only to keep pace with market demand for chocolate, but also to ensure the economic viability of cocoa farming for generations," Blommer added.

The company said that, to date, it has invested nearly $13m in the cocoa sector to help meet increasing demand. About $3.7m has been invested in farmers’ training and infrastructure improvements, while another $9m has been offered as direct premiums to farmers whose cocoa met the quality standards.

Blommer cocoa and sustainability corporate director Kip Walk said with proper farmer training, improvements in soil fertility and the introduction of stronger genetic material, farmers can boost their yield by more than 30%.

According to the company, demand for cocoa is expected to rise by about 30% over the next ten years, which could result in a shortage of up to 1 million tons by 2020, which can be addressed by more environmentally desirable practices in existing cocoa farms.

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Image: With its cocoa sustainability initiative, Blommer Chocolate plans to support cocoa farmer training programmes in West Africa, Indonesia and the Americas. Photo: David Monniaux