| |
Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high quality chocolate and cocoa solutions, and Nestlé (nestle.com), a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness, today announced a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate towards Net Zero cocoa production in Brazil. The companies will realize a 5-year planting initiative generating 6.215 hectares of agroforestry and 7.7 million trees planted (cocoa + non cocoa). The partnership is part of a brand new and innovative 25-year initiative with a potential 20-year renewal, that will represent 20 years of carbon benefits to both companies.
This collaboration aligns with both Barry Callebaut and Nestlé's ambitious sustainability and Net Zero goals, and underscores their commitment to a sustainable future for the cocoa industry. Together they aim to foster the sustainable growth of Brazil's cocoa sector by empowering entrepreneurial farmers to enter cocoa production and support existing cocoa farmers to expand their areas in a climate friendly way. By capitalizing on their abundant land resources, advanced technology, and financial support, the program will drive significant positive environmental and social impact. The program includes three main projects to address different farmer segments and their challenges, and leverages Barry Callebaut's deep-rooted expertise in seedlings production and its extensive 6 million cocoa seedlings nursery project.
Building on a longstanding partnership with Nestlé, Barry Callebaut is already implementing a 11,500-hectare agroforestry program in Côte d’Ivoire. This initiative will benefit over 6,000 farmers through payments for ecosystem services (PES) and is projected to sequester 1.3 million tons of CO2eq over 25 years, directly contributing to both companies’ carbon reduction goals.
"This program is a testament to our commitment to delivering the world's best chocolate solutions and services, while driving positive change in the cocoa industry. With the announcement of our ambitious Net Zero targets in 2024, we are dedicated to working alongside Nestlé on this industry-leading project. By collaborating with our customers in this way, we can accelerate our journey toward these targets, fostering a more sustainable future for cocoa farmers, consumers, and the entire chocolate ecosystem."
Tilmann Silber, Head of Net Zero at Barry Callebaut
"This collaboration with Barry Callebaut is another significant step towards realizing our shared vision of a sustainable cocoa supply chain. By empowering farmers and incentivizing climate-positive practices, we can collectively contribute to a greener future."
Barbara Sapunar, Executive Director of Digital Transformation and ESG at Nestlé Brazil
This strategic partnership between Barry Callebaut and Nestlé marks a significant milestone in the industry's journey towards Net Zero cocoa. By combining their expertise, resources, and shared vision, the two companies are poised to drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable planet.
About Barry Callebaut Group
With annual sales of about CHF 10.5 billion in fiscal year 2023/24, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group (barry-callebaut.com) is the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 13,000 people. The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®, Carma® and the decorations specialist Mona Lisa®. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.
|
media[.]barry-callebaut.com 
