Hershey has committed $500 million to improve cocoa farming practices and livelihoods in Côte d’Ivoire, partnering with local cooperatives to help standardize cocoa cultivation and increase profitability for growers. The investment is part of Hershey’s broader initiative to address ongoing challenges in the cocoa supply chain.
This move builds on Hershey’s “Cocoa for Good” program, which targets key issues such as poverty, child welfare, and environmental sustainability in West Africa, the region responsible for the majority of the world’s cocoa production. The initiative includes efforts to increase household incomes, eliminate child labour, and implement a zero-deforestation policy, all while improving access to nutrition for farming families.
The company aims to stabilize the cocoa supply through better yields and healthier, well-trained farmers, leading to a more sustainable farming environment. The partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa cooperatives formalizes this effort through a “memorandum of understanding” that primarily focuses on improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Hershey’s initiative coincides with rising global cocoa prices, which have doubled since early 2024 and are expected to stay high through September 2025, according to Wells Fargo. The cost increase has prompted companies like Hershey and Mars to raise prices on their chocolate products.
In a June ESG report, Hershey announced its goal of achieving full sourcing visibility for its cocoa in both Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana by 2025. The company has already invested 51% of its $500 million commitment into the “Cocoa for Good” program as of December 2023, demonstrating its dedication to this initiative.
The announcement was made alongside the annual National Cocoa and Chocolate Days in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Tricia Brannigan, Hershey’s vice president and chief procurement officer, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, stating, “Improving farmer incomes requires a holistic approach and collaboration across public and private sectors.”
With this investment, Hershey aims to ensure a more sustainable future for cocoa farmers and secure the long-term viability of the chocolate industry.