Barry Callebaut sourced 51% sustainable raw materials in 2018-19

Swiss chocolate and cocoa products company Barry Callebaut has achieved 51% sustainable agricultural raw materials sourcing in 2018-19.

In its Forever Chocolate Progress Report 2018-19, the company has announced its accomplishment in sustainably sourcing.

The company sustainably sourced 47% of its cocoa beans and 54% of other non-cocoa agricultural raw materials between 2018 and 2019.

This is its third progress report after the Forever Chocolate initiative began in 2016. The company aims to achieve sustainability in its chocolate supply chain by 2025.

Barry Callebaut Group CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique said: “With over half of our ingredients coming from sustainable sources, we are well on track to have 100% sustainable chocolate by 2025. This is a great achievement and it demonstrates that sustainability is at the heart of our business strategy.”

Barry Callebaut Gourmet global head, chief innovation, sustainability and quality officer Pablo Perversi added:  “In the past fiscal year we focused on big innovative projects that we know will create the tipping point for a sustainable chocolate supply chain. Our progress report shows that this focus is working, creating a tangible impact on the ground for cocoa farmers, cocoa farming communities and all the other players in our supply chain.”

The company also aims to bring more than 500,000 cocoa farmers out of poverty and to eliminate child labour from its supply chain.

It also announced that carbon levels decreased by 6.7%, despite an increase in production.