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Cocoa farmers announce first programmes with Fairtrade Social Premium
Cocoa farmers announce first programmes with Fairtrade Social Premium
Published 03-01-10
Submitted by Cadbury
Cadbury Dairy Milk has announced the investment plans for its first Fairtrade social premium to cocoa farmers in Ghana following its groundbreaking move to be the first mainstream confectioner to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark.
The first instalment of £500,000 will go directly into projects determined by the farmers themselves since receiving the funds. The programmes include building wells and mobile health clinics and funding for carbon reduction schemes. Alongside the community investment, the money is also being used to fund farmer training, incentives and provision of tools.
Emmanuel Arthur, MD, Kuapa Kokoo, said: "Kuapa Kokoo has seen an increase in its sales to the Fairtrade market since Cadbury came on board. With the premiums we have received, Kuapa Kokoo is providing cocoa extension and healthcare services through mobile clinics to members."
Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "We're delighted to hear of the plans now being developed by cocoa farmers in Ghana, and that the Fairtrade premiums from cocoa sales to Cadbury will enable them to improve productivity on their farms as well as improve health and water services in their villages. The scale of the Cadbury Dairy Milk commitment means that farmers are finally able to realise some of the projects they have long dreamed of, and will be able to look to the future with greater confidence."
Cadbury Dairy Milk marked Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK and Ireland (22nd February "“ 7th March) by announcing that another of its brands, Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons, has been certified to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark. The Cadbury Dairy Milk move to Fairtrade in five of its key chocolate markets "“ in Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia "“ quadruples the amount of Fairtrade cocoa sold under Fairtrade terms from Ghana.
The move to Fairtrade supports the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, which is investing £45 million over a ten year period to secure sustainable cocoa farming in Ghana, India, South East Asia and the Caribbean, where the cocoa farming industry is facing increasing challenges.
Notes to Editors
About the Fairtrade Foundation and FAIRTRADE Mark Ireland:
1. The FAIRTRADE Mark is a certification mark and a registered trademark of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) of which the Fairtrade Foundation and FAIRTRADE Mark Ireland are the UK and Irish members. Fairtrade is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label is now recognised by 72% of UK consumers and 64% of Irish consumers and appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than 7.5 million people "“ farmers, workers and their families "“ across 59 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.
2. Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark. Seven in 10 households purchase Fairtrade goods, including an extra 1.3 million more households in the last year. UK Fairtrade sales reached an estimated retail value of £800m in 2009. There are over 463 producer organisations selling to the UK and Ireland and 746 certified producer organisations globally.
3. 90% of households purchased a FAIRTRADE Mark product in 2009, an estimated 22m UK homes.
4. Fairtrade Fortnight, the annual promotional campaign for Fairtrade, runs from 22 February to 7 March. This year the theme is The Big Swap, encouraging people to swap their usual products for Fairtrade products, with a target of registering one million and one swaps by the end of the period. More details at www.thebigswap.org.uk or www.fairtrade.ie.
About Cadbury Cocoa Partnership
In 2008 Cadbury pledged to invest £45 million over ten years to secure the sustainable future of cocoa farming in Ghana, India, South East Asia and the Caribbean. £30 million will be spent in Ghana. The programme will focus on investing in farmer education programmes that develop best cocoa management practices, and explore carbon reduction techniques to secure more sustainable cocoa farming.
