HOW WHITTAKER’S IS HELPING FUTURE-PROOF COCOA FARMING IN GHANA

Behind every delicious block of chocolate is a fascinating story that begins long before each wrapper is opened.

For New Zealand’s beloved Whittaker’s, the story starts 16,500km away in Ghana, where the family-owned chocolatier has been sourcing its cocoa for decades. However, this essential relationship is built on more than high-quality cocoa beans.

With climate change, sustainability concerns, and supply pressures transforming the global chocolate industry, Whittaker’s is working closely with four Ghanaian co-operatives—representing more than 4,000 farmers—to protect the future of cocoa farming and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Supporting sustainable cocoa production
Through these partnerships, Whittaker’s is supporting essential infrastructure and long-term initiatives that promote sustainable cocoa farming, safeguard and restore forests, and empower farming communities.

From providing training and clean drinking water to planting thousands of shade trees, Whittaker’s is investing not only in a more resilient supply chain but also in the future of local farmers.

“We thought we could impact the farmers’ lives, which is critical to the longevity of our supply chain. A lot of the farmers live in very remote areas; they don’t have access to really basic needs that we would take for granted,” explains Michael Tannenbaum, Whittaker’s Head of Procurement.

He adds, “By working with suppliers on the ground, we get to hear firsthand how we can help them and their families, how we can keep cocoa trees growing, and what farmers really need to build a better life.”

Whittaker’s future-proof cocoa farming
To future-proof cocoa farming, it is essential to create a shift toward sustainable, responsible production and reduce deforestation.

In 2024, the four cooperatives successfully geo-mapped all 6,563 farms under their management. The data collected through this process marked an important step toward monitoring, reducing, and preventing further forest conversion for cocoa production.

As a result, 100% of Whittaker’s cocoa is traceable, ensuring that none is sourced from national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, or reserves, and that no cultivation has occurred on deforested land. This provides consumers with full transparency about the origin of their chocolate, according to Tannenbaum.

One of the most significant outcomes of the partnership has been the planting of more than 170,000 shade trees across 2,000 hectares.

Cocoa trees are relatively small, shade-tolerant crops that are highly susceptible to extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and intense sunlight. Shade trees play a vital role in protecting them, helping to improve both plant longevity and overall yield.

“Planting shade trees produces an umbrella-like canopy that ensures the cocoa trees aren’t exposed to the hot sun or flooded with water,” Tannenbaum explains.

He adds, “Without the correct shade, a cocoa tree will probably produce cocoa for up to 25 years. With the right amount of shade, it can produce for up to 40 years.”

Distributing seedlings also contributes to forest restoration and expansion, provides vital habitat for wildlife, and supports carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation efforts. Whittaker’s has also committed to continuing the planting of additional trees across more farms in the years ahead.

Protecting local farming communities
Effectively future-proofing farming communities includes investing in education. To promote financial stability among farmers, Whittaker’s has helped establish 15 new Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).

The VSLAs provide farmers with crucial training, teaching them the importance of good financial management practices, savings, and investments to help improve their financial literacy and increase and diversify their incomes moving forward.

“As we’ve seen over recent years, cocoa prices can go up and down. That’s a real financial impact to the farmer. We want them to be financially stable and not just rely on the cocoa price in itself,” says Tannenbaum.

He adds, “Schooling is another focus for us – some of these farms are remote, so children were travelling long distances on dirt roads. We do anything we can to keep it localised, so that’s one impact we’ve been able to make.”

Keeping up with clean water
Clean water is fundamental to a healthy, thriving community. Three communities now have access to safe drinking water, with plans underway to extend this provision to an additional two.

“We understand that one of the most essential requirements for human life is access to fresh, clean water,” explains Tannenbaum.

Because these areas are inland and many local children are not taught to swim, there is concern that children sent to collect water could fall into watering holes and be unable to get out.

“Providing fresh water locally that is safe to collect is probably the biggest impact we could offer our farms,” he adds.

Ultimately, Whittaker’s is committed to supporting its communities and suppliers, ensuring its chocolate continues to be produced ethically and fairly.

“We’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do. We’re not looking after ‘the now’; we’re looking after the generations to come. They need to have these basic requirements met so that can happen,” explains Tannenbaum.

Although Whittaker’s was founded in 1896, this is only the beginning of their story.

More information about Whittaker’s Cocoa and Forests Initiative Action Plan is available on their website.

Visit www.whittakers.co.nz