Quality Partner Program

Providing training to achieve better farms, better cocoa and a better life for cocoa farmers

Barry Callebaut established its Quality Partner program with cocoa farmer cooperatives in 2005. Through farmer training and other services, the program aims to improve quality in distinct ways:

• Improving the quality of cocoa farms through farmer training in Good Agricultural Practices
• Improving the quality of cocoa beans through sustainable production, harvesting and post-harvest management practices
• Improving the overall quality of life of cocoa farmers and their families by offering opportunities to earn more from higher yields and improved quality of crops, and through improved access to health care and education

In 2009, 47 cooperatives representing approximately 42,000 cocoa farmers participated in the Quality Partner Program. Barry Callebaut provides incentives to cooperatives and farmers to produce quality cocoa. And, we support partner cooperatives in their efforts to improve the livelihoods of the farmer members.

In addition to providing agricultural training, we also support child labor sensitization activities and encourage and promote education.

Striving for continuous improvement

Since launching the Quality Partner Program, we have adapted some of our initial performance targets to better match the capacities of our farmers and the realities in the field. While some cooperatives have demonstrated continuous improvement, others have struggled to reach targets.

Many cooperatives need financing assistance before and during the crop season to support their farmer members and for operational purposes. Barry Callebaut offers approximately EUR 26 million annually in prefinancing support in the form of interest-free loans.