A bitter reality

Chocolate is a sweet indulgence for millions of people around the world, but the reality of the chocolate industry is anything but sweet for cocoa farmers. Cocoa farmers are amongst the poorest people in the world. More than 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa is cultivated in West Africa, where over 10 million farmers are dependent on cocoa beans for their daily income. With so many fans of chocolate around the world, one would think these farming communities are well-off. However, the low prices of commodities like cocoa means that there is widespread poverty in these farming communities and children are often forced to work in order to help make ends meet. Workers cannot even afford basic gear like wellington boots to protect their feet from the scorpions that reside among the cocoa trees.

Most villages are riddled with diseases due to the lack of clean water and basic services. Child labour and the need for educational facilities is a widespread problem, children have to engage in dangerous tasks like using machetes and applying toxic pesticides. The Ivory Coast has caused much worry amongst Fair traders as it is the country that uses the most child slaves for the cultivation of cocoa. Many cocoa farmers have never tasted chocolate, while the consumer market for chocolate in the USA and Europe is expected to reach record highs.

Working together

In 1993, a small group of cocoa farmers in Ghana, West Africa decided to team up in order to make more money together rather than selling chocolate individually. They named their business ‘Kuapa Kokoo’, which means ‘good cocoa farmer’. In 1998, Kuapa Kokoo joined forces with a group of UK organizations which were concerned about the prevailing poverty amongst cocoa farmers. They formed The Day Chocolate Company and the Kuapa Kokoo farmers soon begun to make money from selling chocolate bars and cocoa beans. In fact, ‘Divine’ is one of the most delicious and popular Fair trade chocolate bars along with other organic brands such as ‘Theo Chocolate’, ‘Dagoba Organic Authentic’ and ‘Green and Black’s’ chocolates.

You can help to make a change

The importance of buying chocolate from Fair trade certified companies cannot be over-emphasised. The Fair trade Foundation sets standards which buyers of cocoa beans have to submit to, such as prohibiting the use of child labour if it jeopardises their education, health and safety. Fair trade grounds are inspected annually to ensure that there is compliance, so any problems can be identified and addressed promptly. By supporting Fair trade products you enable these underprivileged communities to set up local schools, healthcare and safe drinking water. Buying Fair trade products also means that you are helping to create a sustainable cocoa economy where farmers who are part of the supply chain will be able to earn enough income to support their families, and work in good conditions which are not harmful to the environment.

In addition to supporting equal exchange, purchasing Fair trade chocolate improves public health in your own country and the environment of the farming communities. Often, forest cultivation methods use pesticides and fertilisers which are unhealthy for consumer consumption. There are more than 10,000 Fair trade certified products sold in shops in the USA alone.

Over to the organic side

Fair trade chocolate is also more likely to be organic chocolate (though not in all cases, so check the label), which means that you are buying chocolate that is free of toxic chemicals. Regular chocolate is an environmental nightmare as it uses more pesticides than any other agricultural product except cotton. In addition to using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, regular chocolate also contains high fructose corn syrup, wax, artificial flavours and colours, and other extremely unhealthy and hazardous ingredients.

Ten years ago, there was no such thing as organic chocolate, now many private chocolatiers are making some of the best gourmet dark, milk, white, chilli, exotic lime and salt bars from Fair trade cocoa. Many of these shops also specialize in baking organic truffles, cakes, chocolate chip cookies, and various other novelty chocolate gifts like Easter eggs. If you cannot find organic chocolate in your country, most of these small suppliers also sell their premium, custom-made organic chocolates online.

Organic chocolate can come in the form of a snack, candy or beverage. Whether used to create the perfect chocolate mole or hot chocolate, organic chocolate is good for you and the planet. You can even make raw and vegan chocolate! The phenols in chocolate contain as much antioxidant power as a glass of red wine, and they reduce the risk of cancer, help the immune system and promote heart health. Dark chocolate is known to have more antioxidants than blueberries and more flavanoids than green tea.

All in all, eating slave-free chocolate is healthier for you, better for the environment, and beneficial for the cocoa farmers.