Chocolate, Certifications, and the Reality behind ‘Fair’ Chocolate
Last Saturday, we appeared on the Dutch TV program Kassa in a segment on the cocoa industry and rising cocoa prices.
We have discussed this topic in a previous blog, but this time, the focus was on certifications. For the first time, it was publicly acknowledged on national television that certifications such as FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, and even Tony’s Chocolonely’s ideals cannot guarantee that there is no child labor or slavery in the cocoa supply chain. It was also the first time it was stated that the FairTrade minimum price is too low for cocoa farmers to earn a living income.
In the broadcast, we heard directly from cocoa farmers in Ghana who made an emotional appeal to consumers in the West, asking us to pay more for cocoa so they can have a living income. They emphasized that the current income is far from sufficient to support their families. One farmer went as far as to call for the West to build chocolate factories in Ghana, so the local communities could have more jobs and receive a fairer share of the revenue.
During the segment, I was also asked to share some details about our shop and our products. I explained that we work with truly slave-free chocolate that is 100% traceable.
For us, fair trade means going beyond certification minimums: we pay well above FairTrade prices to ensure a fair income for cocoa farmers.
The first chocolate bar I picked up was from MIA – Made in Africa, a brand that produces the entire bar in Ghana, keeping the value-added process within the country of origin.
In our view, the responsibility for fair production lies not only with the consumer but primarily with the manufacturers. If companies claim that their chocolate is ‘fair’ on the packaging, they should guarantee that it genuinely benefits the farmers. Consumers cannot be expected to assess the true fairness of a product's supply chain – this responsibility belongs to the manufacturer.
New European Legislation
The broadcast also mentioned new European legislation set to take effect in 2026. This law will require companies to take responsibility for their entire supply chain, from raw material to final product. We sincerely hope this law will bring real change and that the days of child labor, slavery, and exploitation in the cocoa industry will finally come to an end.
However, it’s worth noting that, initially, this law will only apply to large companies. Smaller players in the industry will not yet be affected. It remains to be seen whether this law will place enough pressure on the sector as a whole. Nonetheless, the hope is that it will be a significant step toward genuine responsibility and structural solutions for a fair chocolate supply chain.
The broadcast highlights how far we still have to go toward achieving real fair cacao, meaning a good life for cacao farmers, a change in the economy. Our message remains clear: consumers can make a difference, but the real change must come from manufacturers who have the responsibility to fulfill their promises. Only when companies take accountability and work toward genuine fair trade can we truly call chocolate fair.
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