Mars Incorporated has announced its ambition to achieve a physically segregated global cocoa supply chain by 2030, as part of its ongoing commitment to the Responsibly Sourced Cocoa Programme. Through this initiative, Mars will ensure its products use cocoa exclusively sourced from farms participating in the programme or certified by standards such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or other approved certification bodies.
A segregated cocoa supply chain will enable Mars to gain better visibility into its suppliers, farming organizations, and individual farmers. This will enhance its ability to support these stakeholders in advancing respect for human rights and environmental preservation.
Over the next five years, Mars plans to collaborate with cocoa suppliers to establish the necessary infrastructure, processes, and systems to:
Source Cocoa Exclusively: Procure cocoa only from farms participating in the programme or meeting approved certification standards, ensuring physical segregation from other sources.
Process Segregated Cocoa: Convert the segregated cocoa into ingredients while maintaining their physical separation from other cocoa sources.
Deliver to Factories: Supply segregated cocoa ingredients exclusively to Mars factories for use in chocolate and finished products.
Harper McConnell, global vice president of cocoa sustainability at Mars, stated, “The move to a segregated global cocoa supply chain is a significant undertaking that builds on our years of investment in our responsibly sourced cocoa programme. It will enable us to target interventions providing more focused support for cocoa-growing communities in our supply chain. This ambition is part of a holistic, long-term approach by Mars to contribute towards the development of a modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem around the globe.”
Milestone in the ‘Cocoa for Generations’ Strategy
The segregated cocoa supply chain marks a critical milestone in Mars’ ‘Cocoa for Generations’ strategy. Supported by a $1 billion investment over ten years (2018–2028), this strategy aims to:
Develop a modern, profitable, and highly productive cocoa farming system leveraging scientific innovation.
Promote inclusivity, ensuring women and children have access to opportunities for prosperity.
Create a sustainable cocoa supply chain that responsibly manages planetary resources and builds resilience against environmental stresses.
Additionally, this effort aligns with Mars’ broader environmental goals. It contributes to tackling deforestation and achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2050, with a target to halve emissions by 2030 as outlined in its Net Zero Roadmap.