together, we can fight exploitation in cocoa

the problem

The systemic underpayment of cocoa farmers is exploitation, causing a domino effect that leads to poverty, which forces farmers to turn to other forms of exploitation: child labor and deforestation. There are 1.5 million children* in child labor in cocoa-growing communities, and there is widespread deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. These issues have been embedded in the industry for many decades without much progress. Tony’s Chocolonely exists to fight this.

*NORC report, 2020

the problem

2.5 million farms in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire produce more than 60% of all cocoa worldwide.

1,560,000*

Ghanaian and Ivorian children are involved in child labor because their parents aren’t able to earn a living income from the cocoa they sell. This isn’t normal or acceptable to us.

*NORC report, 2020

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_TheProblem_Banner_D_3840x1245px_NL-Tony’s Chocolonely

what?! forced labor?

Yep. Right now there is forced labor on cocoa farms in West Africa. This is a direct result of the unequally divided cocoa chain. Tony’s Chocolonely exists to end exploitation in the cocoa industry – fighting poverty, child labor and deforestation. Child labor and forced labor are against the law – it’s an illegal practice that needs to stop.

tell me more

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_Collapsed_ForcedLabor_VideoCover_1194x867_44d4d199-3ab4-4f4d-86b3-2f1408fb7c8d-Tony’s Chocolonely

what?! forced labor?

The cocoa sector today is still full of human rights violations, including forced labor and child labor. The systemic underpayment of cocoa farmers is exploitation. Which drives them into poverty, forcing them to turn to illegal labor practices – especially child labor. This leads to more exploitation in a vicious and avoidable cycle.

so.. what do we mean exactly by forced labor?

We call any form of “work that is performed involuntarily or under the threat of penalty” (ILO Forced Labor Convention, 1930, No. 29) forced labor. It refers to work that is done by any person under duress and for which they’ve not offered themselves voluntarily.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_ForcedLabor_ForcedVsChild_D_3840x2133px_2-Tony’s Chocolonely

child labor, in a cocoa shell

Just before, we talked about forced labor, but we want to be very clear: child labor and forced labor are not the same thing. Dangerous working conditions or working during school hours are forms of child labor, not forced labor. Child labor occurs far more often than forced labor, and can occur in different levels of severity, as shown in the ILO table below:

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_ForcedLabor_WhatIsChildLabor_part1_D_3840x2133px-Tony’s Chocolonely

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_ForcedLabor_WhatIsChildLabor_part2_D_3840x2133px-Tony’s Chocolonely

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_Collapsed_TonysRoute_1194x867_e32f0d24-1301-48b7-aa39-6c3181292e68-Tony’s Chocolonely

Tony’s route to fighting exploitation in cocoa

Together, we can fight exploitation in cocoa: poverty, child labor and deforestation. How? Well, it won’t be easy as it’s a complex issue, but we know we’ll accomplish it with the help of Tony’s road map. This map points us in the direction of our 3 pillars of action.

tell me more

Tony’s road map to fighting exploitation in cocoa

Together, we can fight exploitation in cocoa: poverty, child labor and deforestation. Not just the cocoa in our chocolate, but in all chocolate worldwide. To help get us there, we’ve created a road map that outlines our long-term goals. Every year we take (small and large) steps that move us towards these goals. Our road map consists of 3 pillars of action:

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_TonysRoute_Arrow2005-Tony’s Chocolonely

We believe it’s important to raise awareness about what child labor is – and how to protect children’s rights – among cocoa farmers and people in cocoa communities. Because broad awareness is an essential step toward creating change. Community Facilitators and Tony’s Ambassadors work to achieve this through ongoing education and events like public talks and get-togethers aimed at raising awareness and celebrating successes while informing and inspiring parents and children.

We want all Choco Fans to be aware of the injustice in the cocoa industry. If retailers and Choco Fans actively demand chocolate sourced using Tony’s Sourcing Principles, chocolate companies are more likely to take responsibility for making it happen. That way, Choco Fans will know what’s going on and can join us in our commitment to change the industry.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_TonysRoute_Arrow2012-Tony’s Chocolonely

We lead by example and show that chocolate can be made differently – in taste, packaging and the way we do business with cocoa farmers – so chocolate makes everyone in our supply chain happy. For this to work, we have to make commercially successful chocolate without the use of exploitation.

We invest in long-term partnerships with cocoa farmers, pay prices that enable cocoa farmers to earn a living income and enable cocoa farmers to be more organized and improve their productivity. We trace our cocoa from bean to bar.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_TonysRoute_Arrow2019-Tony’s Chocolonely

We inspire other key players to take action and are actively seeking partners to share our sourcing model with via Tony’s Open Chain. We encourage brands to source cocoa according to Tony’s Sourcing Principles by showing them what impact we’re making, sharing lessons we’ve learned and always being open to discussion. We’re very critical of our own efforts and we’re constantly looking to see how we can raise the bar. We maintain an ongoing dialogue with politicians, NGOs and academia to increase the pressure on the industry to adopt Tony’s Sourcing Principles to end exploitation in cocoa.

Tony's Sourcing Principles

Our chunking good chocolate proves things can be done differently – in taste, packaging and the way we do business with cocoa farmers. Tony’s rules of the game put human and environmental rights at the center of business, allowing companies to source cocoa using Tony’s Sourcing Principles while still enjoying commercial success.

tell me more

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_Collapsed_Tonys5SP_1194x867_aa76d408-5c40-44e1-b632-b61831c69520-Tony’s Chocolonely

Tony’s Sourcing Principles

Tony’s Sourcing Principles are our tried-and-tested solution for fighting exploitation in cocoa. Following these principles enables cocoa farmers to earn a living income. This is crucial for enabling farmers to earn a living income, and fighting child labor and deforestation in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_Tonys5SPS_Infographic_D_3840x2133px-Tony’s Chocolonely

so.. are the solutions working?

The short answer? Yes! But there’s still much work to be done. The long answer? Read Tony’s Open Chain 2024/25 Impact Report to sink your teeth into the latest data and findings.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_Collapsed_AllHandsOnDeck_Static_1194x867_c6877d04-c975-4f3e-9ca8-288f749991c0-Tony’s Chocolonely

see what you can do!

We can’t achieve our goals alone. Alone, we fight exploitation in our cocoa supply chain. But together, we can change the industry across the globe. The more people join us and share our story, the sooner we’ll change the industry. So what do you say.. Are you in?

see what you can do

All of the players in the cocoa supply chain have responsibilities. The following 5 Key Players can work together to change the industry. Each player contributes to changing the status quo in their own way.

TC_Online_Page_OurMission5Steps_5KeyPlayers_Chart_D_3840x2133px_NL_1_a2cd22b9-0825-4bd5-a11d-0497625b1a3c-Tony’s Chocolonely

chocofans

know what you are eating: ask for transparency from chocolate companies and check in particular whether companies purchase 100% traceable cocoa beans at the price for a living income
choose consciously and buy chocolate sourced using Tony’s Sourcing Principles
support petitions and actions and use your social network

chocolate companies

commit to Tony’s Sourcing Principles:

traceable beans
a higher price (that enables farmers to earn a living income)
the long term
strong farmers
better quality and productivity

stores

stock chocolate sourced using Tony’s Sourcing Principles on your shelves
don’t skimp on price – pay a price that enables cocoa farmers to earn a living income
insist on traceability

cocoa farmers

commit to tackling child labor and forced labor in your communities

improve productivity and reduce dependence on cocoa

take responsibility and work on sustainable initiatives in your company

work together: build strong cooperatives with strong farmers

governments in cocoa-producing countries

hold companies accountable for what happens in their supply chain
implement HREDD legislation