Lindt & Sprüngli achieves 2016 cocoa commitment

Lindt & Sprüngli is one of the few chocolate manufacturer that has the control over every step of the production process in-house, from the selection of the finest cocoa varieties through to the finished product. This is one of the most fundamental criteria for a transparent and traceable cocoa supply chain – a task Lindt & Sprüngli does not want to delegate to others. For that reason, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program was initiated in 2008. In this program, Lindt & Sprüngli works on long-term relationships with the farmers and pays a price premium for every ton of cocoa beans sourced.

The aim of the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program is to improve farming practices and the livelihood of farmers and their communities. Organizing the farmers and establishing traceability build the base for all activities to improve the farmers’ and communities’ living condition. Therefore it is essential to know who grows the cocoa and what the local conditions are in order to support the farmers and communities according to their needs. To further improve its sustainability credentials, Lindt & Sprüngli initiated in 2012 a program of external verification of its cocoa supply chain. The verification is carried out by an independent 3rd party, which assesses all elements of the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program and gives recommendations for further improvement.

Total investment by the Lindt & Sprüngli Group through its Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program for cocoa in all countries will be more than CHF 8 m in 2017, with focus on Ghana. In addition, the Lindt Cocoa Foundation (www.lindtcocoafoundation.org) will also support the program with close to USD 2 m in 2017.