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Mars and ofi are expanding their long-standing cocoa sourcing partnership with a new five-year initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving resilience across Ecuador’s cocoa supply chain, as food manufacturers increase focus on decarbonising agricultural sourcing.
The two companies have announced a strategic collaboration running from 2025 to 2029 to accelerate climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices across their shared cocoa supply chain in Ecuador, supporting both businesses’ ambitions to achieve net zero by 2050.
The programme is designed to help reduce the carbon footprint of cocoa production in Ecuador while increasing farm productivity and strengthening grower resilience.
In its first phase, the initiative is expected to support more than 960 farmers across the cocoa-growing regions of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santo Domingo.
Participating farms will implement regenerative agriculture practices across more than 9,000 hectares of farmland.
A central part of the strategy involves transitioning farms from full-sun monoculture to multistrata agroforestry, which Mars and ofi said can:
Boost cocoa production
Support microorganisms and pollinators
Create natural barriers against pests and disease
Farmers will also receive tools and support to adopt:
Low carbon fertilizers
Improved crop residue management
Biochar applications
These interventions are intended to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase CO₂ removals and enhance cocoa yields.
Supply chain resilience and farmer support
Mars and ofi said approximately 4,800 people in surrounding cocoa-growing communities are expected to benefit from the programme’s on-farm investments.
Benjamin Guilbert, Global Vice President, Cocoa at Mars, said: “Building on our long-standing collaboration in cocoa sourcing, this effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale.”
He added: “We value ofi’s ongoing commitment to helping Mars realize our vision of a more modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem that can support farmers and the environment.”
Building more resilient livelihoods
Andrew Brooks, Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi, said: “Together with Mars, we’re scaling up regenerative practices like agroforestry and biochar in Ecuador aimed at cutting greenhouse-gas emissions and helping to secure the future supply of cocoa.”
He added: “By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods.”
Net zero targets shape sourcing strategy
The collaboration builds on more than 15 years of joint sustainable cocoa sourcing globally between Mars and ofi, including 10 years working together in Ecuador.
Both companies said the initiative aligns with their Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated climate commitments and broader net zero roadmaps.
Pedro Amaral, Associate Director, Head of Cocoa Climate Sustainability at Mars, said: “True progress on climate requires shared ambition and mutually beneficial value.”
He added: “Having Net Zero ambitions validated by SBTi enables a bold framework for Mars and ofi to invest together in the long term in solutions that are good for cocoa farmers, good for the environment, and good for the future of our supply chain.”
Sustainability rises up food supply chain agenda
The announcement reflects growing pressure on food and beverage companies to decarbonise agricultural supply chains while protecting long-term ingredient availability.
The collaboration is intended to drive measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the cocoa supply chain, while helping secure the long-term future of cocoa production through more sustainable farming practices. https://youtu.be/lpm6RUtRLSU?si=Oge_7O5TvduMXijs
This article was produced by the editorial team at Food & Beverage Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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