CACAO-TRACE DELIVERS RECORD €7 MILLION TO COCOA FARMERS AND COMMUNITIES IN 2024

The Cacao-Trace programme continues to redefine sustainable chocolate, delivering a record-breaking €7 million directly to cocoa farmers and their communities in 2024. This milestone, highlighted in the latest Cacao-Trace annual sustainability report, reflects the growing impact of ethical chocolate sourcing and the power of purpose-driven partnerships.
Cacao-Trace delivers record €7 million to cocoa farmers and communities in 2024

A year of unprecedented impact for cocoa sustainability

In 2024, the Cacao-Trace programme collected:

  • €3.2 million in chocolate bonus – a 33% increase year-over-year
  • €3.8 million in quality premium – rewarding farmers for superior cocoa bean quality

These payments reached 24,073 farmers across eight cocoa-growing countries, marking the highest annual collection in the program’s history. With over 19,000 customer partners supporting the initiative, Cacao-Trace is creating tangible, life-changing benefits for farming communities.

WHAT IS THE CHOCOLATE BONUS?

The Chocolate Bonus is a unique feature of the Cacao-Trace program. It’s directly linked to the volume of Cacao-Trace certified chocolate sold, ensuring that every purchase contributes to:

  • Boosting farmer incomes
  • Funding vital community projects, such as
    • 72 new water facilities (towers, tanks, and pumps)
    • 7 school infrastructure projects
    • 11,130 school kits

QUALITY PREMIUM: REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN COCOA

In addition to the chocolate bonus, Cacao-Trace farmers receive a Quality Premium—a payment above the farmgate price—for delivering high-quality wet cocoa beans. This incentive not only improves livelihoods but also ensures the exceptional taste of Belcolade’s chocolate.

“GREAT TASTE, DOING GOOD”: A DECADE OF IMPACT

As Cacao-Trace approaches its 10th anniversary, the programme has now distributed over €10 million in chocolate bonuses since its inception. According to Youri Dumont, Chocolate Business Unit Lead at Belcolade:

“Our guiding principle is ‘Great Taste, Doing Good.’ The success of Cacao-Trace proves that ethical chocolate can deliver both exceptional flavour and meaningful social impact.

GLOBAL EXPANSION AND INNOVATION IN COCOA PROCESSING

2024 also saw major advancements in Cacao-Trace’s global operations:

  • New grinding line in Mexico and roasting line in Vietnam for enhanced quality control
  • Post-harvest center in Peru capable of fermenting over 1,000 tons of beans annually
  • Over 150 customer visits to Cacao-Trace facilities, increasing transparency and awareness

These innovations ensure that every bar of Belcolade chocolate meets the highest standards of taste and sustainability.

LOOKING AHEAD: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR CHOCOLATE

Cacao-Trace is not slowing down. The programme is:

  • Ahead of schedule in planting 1.2 million trees by the end of 2025
  • On track to reach 25,000 farmers in 2025
  • Targeting an €8 million chocolate bonus by 2030, benefiting 50,000 farmers

Why choose Cacao-Trace certified chocolate?

All Belcolade chocolate innovations are Cacao-Trace certified, ensuring:

  • Superior taste through expert fermentation and roasting
  • Ethical sourcing that uplifts farming communities
  • Transparent, traceable supply chains

By choosing Cacao-Trace chocolate, you’re not just enjoying premium Belgian chocolate—you’re investing in a better future for cocoa farmers and their families.

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