Belgian retailer Colruyt Group has announced its intention to ensure that its entire assortment of private-label chocolate is from sustainable sources by June 2017.
In a statement released by the group, it said that its 174 Everyday and Boni Selection chocolate products would be UTZ certified to, as it claims, improve the living conditions of small farmers who are the "essence" of this sector.
“Ninety per cent of the world’s production of cocoa beans is ensured by millions of small family businesses farming less than three hectares," explains Stefan Goethaert, director of Colruyt Group Fine Food in charge of product sustainability.
“In a highly concentrated market, these small farmers have practically no possibility to act on prices. By making an effort for sustainable development, small farmers can improve their productivity, hence their revenue, by applying environment-friendly criteria."
Since Colruyt itself is not a chocolate confectioner, it is encouraging sustainability by ensuring that all of its manufacturers-suppliers use UTZ-certified cocoa in the SKUs that they produce for the group.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by John Golden. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
