The Lindt & Sprüngli
Farming Program
High quality cocoa is the heart of our chocolate. That's why we developed our own sustainability program for cocoa. 100% of the cocoa beans in Lindt & Sprüngli's chocolate come from the Farming Program (excluding Russell Stover). In 2021, we have expanded the Program from cocoa beans to cocoa butter. In 2022, we also started sourcing small amounts of cocoa powder through our Farming Program. Through the Farming Program, we aim to create decent and resilient livelihoods for cocoa farmers and their families and to encourage more sustainable farming practices. To achieve this vision, our Program deploys measures to facilitate higher productivity, support diversification of household incomes, improve community infrastructure, reduce the risk of child labor, address deforestation and conserve biodiversity.
Local partners implement the Farming Program in the field with a team of dedicated field staff. In 2022, more than 112,800 farmers and a team of more than 1,000 field staff were involved in the Farming Program.
Through our own sustainability program for cocoa, we aim for our investments to improve farmer livelihoods. In 2022, we invested a total of CHF 27.5 million in cocoa sustainability.
From Bean to Bar
Lindt & Sprüngli is one of the few chocolate manufacturers adopting a bean-to-bar approach, which allows us to oversee the entire production process – from the selection and sourcing of cocoa beans to the production of cocoa mass (also called cocoa liquor) and the finished product.
Our Cocoa Origins
The Farming Program was launched in 2008 in Ghana. We have since expanded it to our other cocoa bean sourcing origins: Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and Peru. With the extension of the Program to cocoa butter in 2021, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program also includes Côte d’Ivoire.
Ghana
Part of the Farming Program since 2008, currently with 78,000 farmers
Ecuador
Part of the Farming Program since 2014, currently with 9,000 farmers
Madagascar
Part of the Farming Program since 2015, currently with 2,200 farmers
Papua New Guinea
Part of the Farming Program since 2017, currently with 4,500 farmers
Dominican Republic
Part of the Farming Program since 2018, currently with 860 farmers
Peru
Part of the Farming Program since 2021, currently with 850 farmers
Côte d'Ivoire
Part of the Farming Program since 2021, currently with 16,900 farmers
Our Farming Program Milestones
2008
Start of the Farming Program
in Ghana, with focus on traceability
and community development.
2012
Extension of the Farming Program
to cover four pillars: traceability, training,
community support and verification.
2013
Lindt Cocoa Foundation
is established.
2014
Start of the Farming Program
in Ecuador
2015
Start of the Farming Program
in Madagascar
2016
Cocoa bean supply chain from Ghana
is 100% traceable and externally verified.
2017
Start of the Farming Program
in Papua New Guinea.
2018
Start of the Farming Program
in Dominican Republic.
All countries from which Lindt & Sprüngli sources cocoa beans are now part of the Farming Program.
2019
Launch of the No-Deforestation and
Agroforestry Action Plan for Cocoa.
2020
Interim goal reached:
100% traceable and externally verified cocoa bean supply
2021
Start of the Farming Program in Peru.
2021
Start of the Farming Program in Côte d’Ivoire.
Inclusion of cocoa butter to the Farming Program.
2022
Expansion of the Program to include cocoa powder. Increase the share of sustainably sourced cocoa (beans, butter, powder, and chocolate mass) to 67%.
2025
By 2025, 100% of cocoa will be sourced through sustainability programs.
100% Commitment
100% of our cocoa beans are traceable back to the farmers and externally verified. By 2025, all cocoa products (beans, butter, powder, and chocolate mass) are to be sourced through sustainability programs.
Our Sustainability Plan
The Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Plan forms the strategy for the sustainability pillar of our business model. It is our commitment for a better tomorrow and our strategy for creating long-term added value for society, the environment, and the economy. It reflects our core company values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration.
Our aim is to foster successful collaboration within the company, improve the livelihoods of our farmers in the countries of origin, contribute to an intact environment, and delight our consumers.
For more information, visit our Corporate Website.