The best-selling chocolate bar in the UK, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, has announced that it will become Fair Trade certified come the end of summer 2009. What a wonderful action which will greatly benefit the farmers of Ghana in West Africa and set a remarkable example for the rest of the chocolate industry!
The pictures in the gallery above show office workers at Cadbury’s in Sheffield, UK literally going bananas for Fair Trade. This brilliant step of CSR will triple the sales of cocoa under Fair Trade terms for cocoa farmers in Ghana. It will also increase Fair Trade cocoa sales for existing certified farming groups and open up new opportunities for thousands more farmers. Hurrah! Let’s hope more chocolate factories will follow suit.
Cadbury chief executive Todd Stitzer says:
Fair Trade Chocolate
Cadbury's Dairy Milk Announces Switch to Fair Trade Certification
Trend Themes
1. Fair Trade Certification - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Other chocolate companies can explore becoming Fair Trade certified, opening up new opportunities for farmers and increasing sales.
2. CSR in the Chocolate Industry - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Chocolate factories can follow Cadbury's example of incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, benefiting farmers and setting a positive example for the industry.
3. Increased Demand for Fair Trade Cocoa - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: The demand for Fair Trade cocoa is expected to grow, providing an opportunity for farmers and farming groups to expand their operations and reach new markets.
Industry Implications
1. Chocolate Manufacturing - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Chocolate manufacturers can explore the use of Fair Trade ingredients, appealing to conscious consumers and differentiating their products in the market.
2. Agriculture - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: The Fair Trade certification of cocoa presents an opportunity for farmers and farming groups in West Africa to access global markets and increase their income.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: More companies across various industries can adopt CSR initiatives like Fair Trade certification, benefiting communities and strengthening their brand reputation.