A panel highlighting the launch of a Lutheran World Relief initiative designed to assist small-scale cocoa and coffee farmers in Latin America is set for the Fine Chocolate Industry Association’s (FCIA) “Elevate Chocolate” event next month.

Barry Callebaut and Cameroon are intensifying their cooperation toward sustainable cocoa farming by supporting the next generation of cocoa farmers.

African investor and product developer AgDevCo has invested in Tradin Organic to source organic cocoa directly from certified small-holder farmers in Sierra Leone, linking them to manufacturers in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, along with leading chocolate and cocoa companies, are releasing action plans to end deforestation in the cocoa sector and restore forest areas.

The Hershey Co. has announced a new package of environmental initiatives and commitments, including establishing a new comprehensive environmental policy, signing the United Nations Global Compact and joining the Science Based Targets initiative.

Fairtrade International is raising the prices it will pay for conventional and organic cocoa next fall after world cocoa prices dropped by more than a third last year.

Dutch confectionery company Tony’s Chocolonely, retailer Albert Heijn and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut have partnered to work toward ending child labor and modern slavery in the chocolate industry.

Mars, Inc. and the Rainforest Alliance, in partnership with Touton and the Grameen Foundation, have launched in Ghana SAT4Farming, an initiative using digital technology and satellite imagery to guide farmers over a seven-year period.

Swiss cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer Barry Callebaut continues to make strides toward sustainable cocoa farming. 

Alongside leading cocoa and chocolate companies, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have adopted new standards to end deforestation and restore forest areas, the countries and companies announced Thursday.