In 2018, Nestlé's total purchase of cocoa beans from the Nestlé Cocoa Plan reached almost 200,000 tonnes. We want to be sure that we can stand behind our claim that this cocoa is 100% sustainably sourced.
However, the majority of cocoa farmers are smallholders. We source from 87,000 individual farms and traceability is therefore a major challenge.
As part of Nestlé's overall commitment to responsible sourcing, the company is using a combination of tools, including certification, supply chain mapping, satellite imagery, and landscape initiatives to achieve 100% traceability back to farm for the cocoa we purchase through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan by the end of 2019.
Certification of our cocoa is important external assurance for us, our brands and our consumers. Our partner in certification is UTZ, part of the Rainforest Alliance.
Every UTZ certified product is grown in accordance with our Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for better farming methods and working conditions, as well as better care for nature and future generations.
You can read more about UTZ here: https://utz.org/better-business-hub/sourcing-sustainable-products/stabilizing-supply-and-demand-for-certified-cocoa/