Nestle cutting ties with Fairtrade 'threatens income for 27,000 farmers'

23 June 2020, 10:23

Nestle will no longer be using FairTrade chocolate for KitKats
Nestle will no longer be using FairTrade chocolate for KitKats. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Nestle has announced its KitKat bars will no longer be Fairtrade, meaning 27,000 farmers could miss out on £1.6 million in premiums each year.

From October, KitKats in the UK and Ireland will source its cocoa from farms on Rainforest Alliance terms instead of those working with Fairtrade accreditation.

Nestle already uses Rainforest Alliance certified farmers on other bars such as Aero and Yorkie.

The boss of Fairtrade said owner Nestle's decision to cut its 10-year association with the non-profit organisation is "profoundly disappointing".

Michael Gidney, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation, said its cocoa farmers in the Ivory Coast were "devastated" by the news.

He said: "It would never be good news but to face this when the country is looking at one of the worst health crises imaginable makes things particularly difficult.

"Nestle's relationship with farmers in Ivory Coast has been able to make a huge difference to village communities, helping them to receive electricity and water pumps.

From October, KitKats in the UK and Ireland will source its cocoa from farms on Rainforest Alliance terms
From October, KitKats in the UK and Ireland will source its cocoa from farms on Rainforest Alliance terms. Picture: PA

"The decision is a huge blow."

Simon Billington, global technical manager for Nestle Confectionery, said the firm is aware that "the move will have an impact on some farmers", but said it is "working hard" to mitigate this.

The company said it will provide financial support to help its current farmers to certify with the Rainforest Alliance if they wish.

Nestle said it was a not money-saving decision and will spend the same amount on cocoa from its farmers over the next year.

It said it will also invest in a series of initiatives to support farmers and communities, including £1 million to improve incomes and a further £500,000 on community projects.

Mr Billington added: "Our expanded partnership with the Rainforest Alliance underlines our commitment to sustainable cocoa sourcing throughout our global supply chain.

"Our successful partnership with Fairtrade is ending as we harmonise our certification for sustainable sourcing internationally.

"The Rainforest Alliance has significant experience working with cocoa farmers in understanding and implementing robust sustainability criteria that drives positive change, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration in the coming years."

Alex Morgan, chief markets officer at the Rainforest Alliance, said: "We're delighted Nestle is strengthening its position in the cocoa sector and unifying its responsible cocoa sourcing commitment across all of its portfolios.

"Our certification programmes continue to connect companies, consumers, farmers and businesses committed to protecting the health of ecosystems, workers, and communities by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of food producers."

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Soldiers in giant fuel tank

US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried facing decades in prison for crypto fraud

Aiden Minnis (left) and Ben Stimson (right) joined the Russian military

British traitor fighting for Russia in Ukraine says he is 'prepared to die' for Putin after family 'disowns him'

Austria Navalny

Portraits of Alexei Navalny unveiled next to Soviet soldier monument in Vienna

Hawaii Wildfire

Hawaii fire survivors moving into housing but 3,000 still in hotels

Trump Investigations Eastman

Judge says former Trump lawyer should be debarred

The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge in Baltimore

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers recover two bodies from water

Germany Bus Accident

Four killed in German bus accident

Two bodies have been recovered from the water where the Baltimore bridge collapsed.

Two victims of Baltimore bridge collapse named after bodies found 'trapped in truck' by divers

Disgraced Spanish football boss who grabbed and kissed Women's World Cup winner faces two-and-a-half-years in jail

Disgraced Spanish football boss who grabbed and kissed Women's World Cup winner faces two-and-a-half-years in jail

Crocus City Hall

Death toll in Moscow concert hall attack rises to 143

The Amazon logo

Amazon pours additional £2.1bn into AI start-up Anthropic

Jill Biden

Jill Biden writes children’s book about White House cat Willow

Ron DeSantis

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Disney

Beyonce

Beyonce shares Cowboy Carter track list ahead of album release

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose to host Tony Awards for third straight time