MARS CHOCOLATE UK has today announced a commitment to source Fairtrade certified cocoa for all Mars bars in the UK and Ireland by autumn this year.

The commitment is in partnership with The Fairtrade Foundation under a cocoa sourcing programme which aims to deliver more opportunities for cocoa farmers to sell on Fairtrade terms.

The bars are expected to appear on the shelves from October this year onwards.

It also works to connect them with businesses that actively support efforts to improve farmer livelihoods.,

Mars was the first global chocolate company to commit to certify its entire cocoa supply as being produced in a sustainable manner by 2020.

In a statement today, the company said it will expand its project to more west African cocoa cooperatives covering its existing volumes over the coming years.

“This partnership brings us one step closer to sustainable, ethically sourced cocoa becoming the norm in the chocolate industry,” commented Bla Maquiver, President of Mars Chocolate UK.

Mike Gidney, Chief Executive of The Fairtrade Foundation, also said cocoa farmers are always anxious to sell more of their crops on Fairtrade terms. He added that it can “start to change their lives when they receive fairer rewards for their efforts”.

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