Cargill has highlighted the progress it’s made towards a transparent cocoa sector in a newly released sustainability report.

According to Harold Poelma, President of the company’s Cocoa & Chocolate business, the ‘2017/28 Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate Sustainability Report’ “highlights how we are taking action on a range of issues across the cocoa sector, while maintaining a farmer-first approach”.

The report showcases the work the company has accomplished in realising supply chain traceability, empowering cocoa farmers, and tackling issues such as deforestation in the five origin counties wher Cargill sources its cocoa.

“It is vital that everything we do creates lasting benefits for cocoa farmers, their families and communities, and empowers them to own their futures and achieve success as small businesses while protecting our planet,” said Poelma added.

The company is focused on achieving a more transparent supply chain and implementing scalable solutions through technology and evidence-based approaches.

Recent actions have focused on building the capacity of local farmers, improving traceability in the supply chain, increasing access to training and educational resources for cocoa households, professionalizing farming and protecting natural resources.

Technology plays a vital role in informing and accelerating Cargill’s impact in cocoa sourcing regions. Using digital payments, farmers are able to receive secure, timely payment for their beans, while Cargill’s digital Cooperative Management System ensures that farmers and farmer organizations are empowered to manage their operations like businesses.

The integration of technology across the supply chain also drives greater trust and transparency from cocoa bean to chocolate bar.

Data from the deployment of GPS polygon mapping and electronic bean tracking solutions inform how Cargill designs and deploys its sustainability programs, in turn helping customers deliver on consumer demands for ethically sourced products.

This year’s report reflects Cargill’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, which considers multiple distinct yet interconnected issues and encourages collaboration between stakeholders to achieve a thriving cocoa sector.

The report highlights progress made on the company’s five Sustainability Goals, aligned to the UN Sustainability Development Goals and adopted by Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate in 2017. These sustainability goals are part of the Cargill Cocoa Promise: the company’s corporate commitment to improving the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities.

“It is our belief that the journey towards sustainable business practices is far greater than the actions or interests of any one company,” said Poelma.

“By partnering up with other organizations and playing to our individual strengths we can achieve fundamental and lasting transformation, together.”