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Farmers urge Nestlé to continue using Fairtrade products for KitKat chocolate bars

24th Jun 2020 - 12:04
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fairtrade nestle kitkat cocoa
Abstract
Nestlé has informed the Fairtrade Foundation that, after ten years, it no longer plans to buy Fairtrade cocoa and sugar for KitKat bars produced for sale in the UK and Ireland.

The move is estimated to mean a loss of almost £2m in Fairtrade premiums each year for co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji and Malawi, representing 27,000 small scale producers.

Under the deal the cocoa cooperatives have benefited from the safety net of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and the premium has meant communities have been able to invest in classrooms, dispensaries, canteens, and programmes to help women increase and diversify their income.

Writing on behalf of Ivorian cocoa farmers, Atse Ossey Francis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ivorian Fair Trade Network, said: “It is with deep regret and deep concern that we have learned that after proudly producing cocoa for KitKat in the UK for a decade, small cocoa farmers in Côte d'Ivoire will no longer enjoy the benefits of selling their cocoa on Fairtrade terms.

“Nestlé is one of the leading buyers of Fairtrade certified cocoa through its KitKat brand and we are grateful for all this decade of partnership where we have contributed to the success of Nestlé. A non-Fairtrade trade relationship means regression and continued poverty.

“We invite Nestlé to continue negotiating with us producer representatives and the Fairtrade label in order to find ways of agreement so as to reconsider their decision not to buy on Fairtrade terms.

“We ask Nestlé to continue the incredible work that has been done over the past 10 years so as not to cut the lifeline of the Fairtrade Premium at a time when we producers need it most.”

Michael Gidney, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation said: “Fairtrade exists to represent farmer voices, standing beside them as they fight for their rights. We stand behind farmers as they applaud the benefits of the decade long partnership with Nestlé and as they ask Nestlé to reconsider this course of action at this time.

“Now, more than ever we need to act as a global community and take actions that are steps forward as we build a better future. As many businesses are scaling up commitments to Fairtrade, more farmers are benefiting from the uniqueness of Fairtrade and more shoppers in the UK able to choose from around 1,000 different Fairtrade chocolate varieties.

“We urge Nestlé: listen to farmers, do not choose this moment of global crisis to exacerbate the inequalities in the cocoa industry. Be part of the solution and keep KitKat Fairtrade.”

 

Written by
David Foad