Mars spending millions on sustainable cocoa-production

Cocoa is a volatile commodity. Companies want to secure their long-term sourcing, so Mars has pledged to produce a significant proportion of its cocoa supply in a sustainable manner by 2020.

Mars, Incorporated has already invested
well over $10 million in each of the past several years in its
efforts to achieve sustainable cocoa production. The move by the
world’s biggest confectionery company, which claims to be the
biggest end-user buyer of cocoa globally, comes as chocolate
companies worry over rising cocoa prices and falling supply. Paul S.
Michaels, Mars CEO and president said, „Our commitment to
sustainability is serious and long-term, and this announcement is a
major step towards our global commitment to purchase only cocoa that
is certified as being produced in a sustainable manner.”Mars spends
more than US$1bn annually buying beans direct from farmers and
processors.