Washington — Chocolaterie Guylian N.V. has committed to sourcing 100 percent of the cocoa used to make its premium chocolates on Fairtrade terms, according to Fairtrade America. All Guylian products will now carry the Fairtrade mark on the front of the package.
Globally, cocoa and chocolate together are a $48.29 billion industry that is expected to grow, Fairtrade reports, adding that cocoa farmers are battling inflation, rising production costs, the climate crisis and COVID-19 related challenges while the price they earn for cocoa hasn’t risen to meet these changes. By converting to Fairtrade cocoa, Guylian will provide West African cocoa farmers in its supply chain not only the Fairtrade Minimum Price for cocoa, but also nearly $500,000 in Fairtrade Premiums, the group states.
Guylian continues to shift its focus towards sustainability as part of a comprehensive rebrand launched earlier this year, which includes transitioning to more eco-friendly production. As a result, the brand’s chocolate seashells with hazelnut pralineé, as well as its individually wrapped chocolates and a range of 100-gram bars, now have an improved recipe and come in refreshed and modernized packaging.
“We’ve put sustainability high on our new agenda and hope to inspire other chocolate brands to be more thoughtful about their production,” says Tom Snick, Guylian’s CEO. “We aim to be a pioneer in chocolate and confections through our meaningful commitment to Fairtrade, as well as through more sustainable raw materials and packaging, and reduced CO2 emissions.”
The company’s new packaging is fully recyclable, furthering the its commitment towards sustainable production and reducing use of paper and plastic. Since the start of this year, its production site in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, is also climate neutral, which means that CO2 emissions have been reduced to the lowest possible level and all other emissions are offset.
“We are proud to welcome Guylian into the Fairtrade system and are thrilled to see the Fairtrade Mark on its packaging, giving conscious consumers another reason to enjoy indulgent, ethically-sourced chocolate,” says Carlos Urmeneta, director of commercial partnerships, Fairtrade America. “Cocoa farmers and their families are struggling to make a decent income due to climate change, poor soil conditions and long-term low prices. When brands like Guylian choose Fairtrade, they’re committing to people and the planet.”
