Policy Analysis

Throwing the Chocolate Bar Out with the Bathwater: How Cadbury’s transition to an in-house sustainability standard threatens the sustainability of the cocoa sector

This commentary explains how Cadbury’s recent decision to develop its own inhouse sustainability standard rather than continue to rely on Fairtrade International certification is a great step backwards for global cocoa sustainability.

By Jason Potts on January 30, 2017

Cadbury’s recent decision to develop its own in-house sustainability standard rather than continue to rely on Fairtrade International certification is a great step backwards for global cocoa sustainability.

The transition to an in-house sustainability standard will reduce the level of public oversight, thereby diluting and confusing the market for sustainable cocoa products. As a result, producers will face reduced market benefits and higher transaction costs with the advent of “yet another” standard toward which they must demonstrate compliance. 

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