Want to know more about how chocolate gets from the farm to your supermarket? Let’s take a walk through the cocoa supply chain.
Step 1 - The farm
Your chocolate bar may say ''Swiss Made'' or "New Zealand Crafted'', but that's only half the story. No Kiwi chocolate company has a cocoa farm out back!
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans from cocoa trees that grow in hot, humid regions of the world. There are six million people working on cocoa farms across Latin America, South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands and West Africa, with nearly 70% of the world's cocoa produced in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
Cocoa farming is physically intensive work that requires toiling long hours in blistering heat, using dangerous tools and pesticides, and carrying heavy loads long distances.
Most of the world’s cocoa is grown and harvested on small, independent farms. Photo: Pexels
Step 2 - Selling and shipping
Farmers typically sell cocoa beans to a large trader that supplies the cocoa industry. Once sold, the bags go to an exporter who grades the cocoa and transports it to a central warehouse. This is where the supply chain starts to get complex and traceability is often lost.
Once the beans have been sold, most are shipped to large cocoa processing facilities to be made into chocolate, while some are shipped to smaller chocolate companies who have their own processing facilities, such as in the case of Whittaker’s.
Sometimes farmers choose to bypass third-party traders and join a farming co-operative—a farmer's group set up to bargain with cocoa companies in the interest of all its members. A co-op generally has more bargaining power to set a higher price for cocoa in an entire region.
Farmers may also choose to export to chocolate companies directly. This sourcing model enhances traceability, transparency and trust in the supply chain as there's significantly more communication between farmers and chocolate companies.
After the beans are harvested there are different routes they can take before being processed into cocoa products. Photo: Pexels
Step 3 - Processing
Cocoa processing has historically occurred in European importing countries but is slowly occurring in exporting nations as well. Many chocolate companies share processing facilities, typically located in Switzerland and Belgium. Once beans arrive for processing, they are crushed to retrieve the cocoa nib and are processed further into different products. Companies that source certified, organic, or traceable beans, have to ensure these beans are kept separate from other bulk or non-certified beans.
Use the Chocolate Scorecard to find out which big companies are taking their sustainability journey seriously. Source: iStock
Step 4 - Finished goods manufacturing
This is when national and international brands take over. Large cocoa brands typically have their own manufacturing factories, but many small brands use factories in Europe.
In any case, it's important to understand that "Swiss Made", "Belgian Chocolate" or "Made in New Zealand'' labels don't automatically mean ethical. Most of the world's chocolate is European manufactured. If you want to support companies that are working on their ethics and sustainability, the Chocolate Scorecard is helpful for figuring out where the big companies are on their journey, and this guide can help you navigate the smaller players.
Step 5 – Retail
Chocolate products are sold in-store or online.
Want to join the movement for change? Download the Chocolate Scorecard to help you make informed choices and let companies know that you care.