Chocolate Giants Push UK Law to Protect Cocoa Farmers

Companies that usually compete for chocolate sales are now working together to help the farmers who make their products possible.

Ferrero, Hershey, Tony's Chocolonely, and other chocolate giants have formed the UK Cocoa Coalition to push the British government to finally activate forest protection laws passed in 2021. The regulation would require companies to prove their cocoa isn't linked to illegal deforestation, creating accountability across the entire supply chain.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Cocoa prices rocketed from $3,000 per tonne to $12,000 last year before crashing back down, leaving millions of smallholder farmers who grow up to 90% of the world's cocoa struggling with unsold stockpiles. Climate change has disrupted growing seasons, while illegal mining destroys farmland and pests ravage crops.

"Companies can't solve illegal deforestation and ongoing human rights violations alone, but with strong, aligned legislation, we can shift the system together," says Belinda Borck from Tony's Chocolonely. The coalition wants to avoid dumping compliance costs on farmers by sharing responsibility across the supply chain through fair pricing and investment.

The UK Forest Risk Commodities Regulation has sat dormant despite Britain being one of the world's largest chocolate markets. Coalition members say the delay has discouraged investment in supply chain traceability systems that could protect both forests and farmer livelihoods.

Owen Gibbons from Rainforest Alliance points out that voluntary certification schemes can only go so far. Cocoa farmers work on the front lines of climate crisis while suffering most from market instability, making them the least resilient players in the supply chain.

The Ripple Effect

The coalition's approach represents a fundamental shift in how major corporations tackle supply chain problems. Instead of competing on ethics, they're recognizing that systemic problems require collective action and government backing.

The push aligns with similar EU regulations launching this year. Coalition members want UK standards to match or exceed European requirements so Britain doesn't become a dumping ground for illegally sourced cocoa. Research shows only 73% of cocoa entering Europe is currently deforestation-free.

Importantly, the coalition advocates for supporting farmers through compliance rather than abandoning them. Companies that invest in training and farm mapping technology are keeping non-compliant farmers in their programs while helping them meet new standards.

"They don't just stop growing cocoa," explains Carolyn Kitto from Be Slavery Free about farmers who get cut off. "They sell into opaque markets with no monitoring, no support and no incentive to protect forests."

The coalition proves that protecting people and planet can align with business interests when companies think long-term and work together instead of alone.