News
Callebaut, Ghana Cocoa Board sign LoI
11 Jun 2018Barry Callebaut and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have signed a letter of intent to intensify the cooperation on sustainable cocoa farming.
Barry Callebaut and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have signed a letter of intent to intensify the cooperation on sustainable cocoa farming. The purpose of the letter of intent is for both signatories to work collaboratively towards the design and validation of a sustainable cocoa farming model, with a specific focus on the clearing and replanting of cocoa trees infected with the swollen-shoot virus (CSSV) disease. Also, the cooperation will include agroforestry, more specifically income diversification for cocoa farmers and the planting of shade trees. In addition, Barry Callebaut and the COCOBOD will work together on making cocoa cultivation more attractive to women cocoa farmers and young cocoa farmers. Finally, both parties will intensify their cooperation on community-led engagement towards the eradication of the worst forms of child labor.
This letter of intent is, says the company, an important step towards the design of a new model for sustainable cocoa farming. Combining the expertise and resources on the ground of both the COCOBOD and Barry Callebaut will, it says, lead to more impactful interventions and accelerate the progress towards a sustainable cocoa farming sector in Ghana, the second largest cocoa producer in the world.“Through the clearing of CSSV infected cocoa trees, we have the opportunity to further ensure a sustainable cocoa farming model in Ghana whilst exploring agroforestry at the same time, by replanting the cleared areas with young cocoa trees, shade trees and additional crops to diversify the income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers,” said Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut.The signatories hope to present the first outcomes of their collaboration in early 2019.Companies mentioned
Related categories
Related news
Retail landscape lacks nutritious and affordable food, says ATNi
30 Dec 2025
A rapid increase in modern food retail has given retailers growing influence over consumer diets, according to global non-profit ATNi’s latest assessment.
Read more
Debate over ban on ‘meaty’ names for plant-based products reaches stalemate
26 Dec 2025
The debate over a ban on plant-based products using “meaty” terms has reached a stalemate, leaving manufacturers in limbo and still facing overhauls to their marketing and packaging.
Read more
Multi-sensory food and drink products to gain traction in 2026
16 Dec 2025
Trend forecasters predict that sensory elements will play a larger role, helping food and beverage brands differentiate themselves in a competitive market in 2026.
Read more
Big appetite for M&A between European and US food and drink companies
3 Dec 2025
Persistent tariffs on EU food and beverage exports have helped drive record levels of M&A activity between European and US companies this year, according to analysis by ING.
Read more
Non-UPF Program extends certification scheme to entire food industry
30 Nov 2025
The Non-UPF Program has extended its certification scheme to the wider food sector, championing a move towards healthier consumption habits.
Read more
Lancet study links UPFs to chronic disease risk
26 Nov 2025
UPFs are consistently associated with an increased risk of diet-related chronic diseases, according to a comprehensive review of global evidence in The Lancet .
Read more
Concerns swirl around cinnamon’s compliance with EU law
25 Nov 2025
Cinnamon may be a top functional ingredient, but it needs stronger protocols to ensure it meets EU food safety laws and quality standards, say researchers.
Read more
Oat Barista: Innovation for game-changing beverages
20 Nov 2025
Oat Barista is a clean label, sustainable, and innovative drink base specifically designed to create the perfect foam in one single ingredient.
Read more
How younger consumers are redefining ingredient choices and rejecting brand loyalty
18 Nov 2025
Gen Z and millennial consumers’ preferences for transparency, functionality, and purpose are “redefining the very nature of consumption itself”, says SPINS.
Read more
Hybrid formats and flexible positioning to disrupt category norms in 2026
17 Nov 2025
Trend forecasters expect food and drink to move more fluidly across occasions, functions, and formats as consumers seek versatility, novelty, and convenience.
Read more