UPL becomes a member of the European Cocoa Association, calls for farmers to be rewarded for sustainability work

“UPL’s long-term presence in West Africa has allowed us to develop significant relationships with farmers and business alike. Our expertise exhibits that we are able to obtain extra after we work collectively, so we’re delighted to affix the ECA and proceed to work as a trusted technical companion as we work in direction of a extra sustainable cocoa sector, ​” stated Clair.

The ECA is a commerce organisation based mostly in Belgium, which screens and studies on regulatory developments of main concern to the cocoa sector, together with meals security, commerce, logistics, sustainability, setting, and labelling.

UPL’s membership of the ECA builds on current relationships with the World Cocoa Basis and the Cocoa and Forests Initiative and continues its worth chain mission at business stage, making doable new partnerships with meals chain stakeholders throughout the European neighborhood and dealing to enhance the general sustainability of the cocoa worth chain between West and Central Africa and the European Union.

Extra cocoa – much less land

In our podcast interview, Clair outlined his concepts for the way forward for the cocoa business basically in West Africa:  “I really feel now we have reached a stage of maturity by way of what sustainability means and the way a lot we’re able to commit ourselves for a extra sustainable cocoa sector together with the discount of kid labour and extra foresters – and extra cocoa on much less land​.”

Clair stated there’s a clear want for a shift in direction of regenerative agriculture with zero carbon emissions as a substitute of the outdated mining agricultural mannequin that takes the vitamins and the house from nature with out giving again.