Cargill & Nestlé: Moving to Sustainable Cocoa Supply Chains

Nestlé, the Swiss food giant, is working towards halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with the ultimate aim of achieving net zero by 2050.

A key player in helping Nestlé achieve these targets is Cargill, one of its top suppliers, which plays a critical role in the company’s drive for sustainability by focusing on responsible procurement of cocoa.

The collaboration between the two is about more than just reducing emissions.

It’s about rethinking the entire cocoa supply chain to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, protect natural resources and enhance transparency.

Together, Nestlé and Cargill are developing new methods for sourcing ingredients and establishing agricultural practices that can significantly lower environmental impact, while ensuring long-term economic security for farming communities.

Cargill’s role in building sustainable supply chains

Cargill’s commitment to sustainability mirrors Nestlé’s, but the company adds its own unique strategies to the mix.

It has built its own sustainability initiatives aimed at transforming the global food supply chain to benefit both consumers and producers. Cargill understands that to meet growing food demands while preserving the planet, it must focus on more than just the environment - it needs to work hand in hand with the people who cultivate the crops.

Through strong partnerships with farmers and customers, Cargill sets science-based goals that align with global efforts to address climate change. Central to these goals is transparency, which is demonstrated through its annual ESG report.

This not only outlines Cargill’s achievements but also holds the company accountable when things fall short. By offering continuous market access, innovative tools and targeted training, Cargill is empowering cocoa farmers to implement sustainable farming practices that support long-term resilience.

Cargill’s focus on sustainable procurement is not just about meeting immediate consumer demand. It’s about laying the foundation for a more robust, climate-conscious future. The company recognises that strengthening agricultural jobs through better tools and education will be crucial for long-term sustainability.

In collaboration with Nestlé, it provides certified cocoa, contributing to Nestlé’s broader sustainability goals through initiatives like the Cocoa Income Accelerator Programme.

Nestlé’s Income Accelerator Programme: A game-changer

This initiative is designed to support cocoa-farming families in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, helping to improve their livelihoods while also advancing agricultural productivity.

The programme rewards farmers for positive practices such as enrolling their children in school, engaging in agroforestry activities and diversifying their incomes.

One of the core goals of the Income Accelerator Programme is to reduce the risks of child labour in cocoa farming communities. This is coupled with efforts to promote gender equality, ensuring that women in these regions have better access to resources and opportunities within the industry.

The programme’s targets are ambitious: by 2030, Nestlé aims to reach 160,000 cocoa-farming families, significantly expanding on the 30,000 families already involved.

The cocoa sourced for Nestlé’s Breaks for Good KitKat bar is a perfect example of how the programme works in practice.

The bar uses cocoa that meets strict traceability standards, ensuring that the ingredients come from farming families who are part of the Income Accelerator Programme.

This kind of traceability is crucial for building a more transparent and sustainable supply chain.

Procurement as the backbone of sustainability

For both Cargill and Nestlé, procurement is central to their sustainability strategies. As one of the largest global food manufacturers, Nestlé relies heavily on its supply chain partners to ensure it can meet its sustainability goals.

As Patricia Stroup, Chief Procurement Officer of Nestlé, explains, “Reaching those goals requires innovative approaches with our partners, above all with strategic suppliers such as Cargill.”

Cargill’s data-driven CocoaWise™ tool enhances this commitment by increasing transparency and traceability within the global cocoa supply chain.

By tracking the journey of cocoa from farm to factory, the tool can help companies evaluate the environmental and social impact of their operations.

As a result, they can make informed decisions that benefit both the planet and the people who rely on cocoa farming for their livelihoods.

Cargill also works with organisations like the Rainforest Alliance to provide certified cocoa, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through external verification and robust standards.

Michiel van der Bom, Product Line Director for Cargill’s Europe and West Africa cocoa and chocolate business, notes, “Through our partnership, we are building a stronger, more resilient supply chain together.”

Nestlé and Cargill’s collaborative efforts are showing how responsible procurement can transform not only the chocolate industry but also the livelihoods of those at the very heart of it: the farmers.

Their shared goal is to create a system where both people and the planet can thrive, ensuring that the chocolate we enjoy today can still be made tomorrow. 

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