A spotlight on M&S cocoa
At M&S, we are committed to sourcing our cocoa responsibly and to supporting cocoa producers and their communities.
Comitted to sourcing our cocoa responsibly
Since 2016, we have committed to sourcing all of the cocoa used in our own-brand products through recognised partner schemes and certifications, including Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. These schemes improve the lives of farmers and communities, promote their human rights and help mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. We are working closely with the Fairtrade Foundation to increase the reach and impact we have on our cocoa farmers and their livelihoods.
We also know that we need to go beyond our own supply chains to drive change in the cocoa sector and work collaboratively to address some of the structural challenges in this industry including child labour and deforestation. This is why we are members of several multi-stakeholder initiatives including the World Cocoa Foundation, and the Retailer Cocoa Collaboration and are the only UK retailer to be a member of the International Cocoa Initiative, a multi-stakeholder partnership which works to ensure a better future for children in cocoa-growing communities. We were also the first UK retailer to fund the Fairtrade Child Labour Prevention and Remediation programme.
Supporting Fairtrade
Fairtrade works to change the way trade works through ensuring fair pricing, good working condition and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. M&S was one of Fairtrade’s earliest supporters and continues to be one of the leading retail partners to ensure trade is ethical across our whole range, including chocolate, coffee and tea.
Improving lives
The Rainforest Alliance cocoa certification programme is the world’s largest-scale initiative to drive more sustainable cocoa farming. We work with cocoa farmers to regenerate their land while improving their incomes.
