The Baseline Report informs on where our members stand, what drives them and where the membership will need to strengthen their efforts to achieve the targets of the SWISSCO Roadmap 2030. The Interim Report in 2025 will provide an evaluation on progress and setbacks and serve as a basis to define strategic decisions until 2030.
The cocoa research community came together for the International Symposium on Cocoa Research, held December 5-7 in Montpellier. The symposium, attended by around 500 representatives of the global research community, practitioners and sector representatives, provided the latest insights on key challenges and issues facing the cocoa sector, and in particular on improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
SWISSCO’s website has been redesigned and extended to become a true go-to-place to learn more about sustainability in cocoa. It now contains detailed information on the six thematic key areas and on the projects that aim at improving farmers livelihoods.
The Colombian-Swiss family business works shoulder-to-shoulder with associations, indigenous communities and small cocoa producers throughout Colombia and is specialised in marketing fine Colombian cocoa.
SwissDeCode developed the first rapid, within an hour, on-site detection tool for cocoa swollen shoot disease (CSSD) in West Africa which helps protects farmers’ livelihoods and prevent deforestation from occurring when infected farms are abandoned, and virgin forests are cleared for new cocoa-growing areas.
The highlight of European wide peer learning has been the first ISCOnference taking place in Brussels on the 1st of September. The meeting, attended to by about 200 representatives from ISCO members and partners of consuming and producing countries, provided important momentum for a closer collaboration among the platforms.
Starbucks believes that it is its role and responsibility to have a positive impact on the communities it serves and to work alongside coffee and cocoa farmers to help improve their livelihoods.
Some things have been achieved, but much work still lies ahead. This is the conclusion of the members' meeting of the Swiss Cocoa Platform, which coincided with the fifth anniversary of this joint initiative of business, civil society and the federal government.
"WWF believes that cocoa production does not have to be destructive and can be produced responsibly in harmony with humans and nature."
