Mars and ofi expand net zero cocoa push

Mars and Ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have announced a five-year collaboration to accelerate climate-smart cocoa production in Ecuador.

ofi, an operating group of Olam Group, supplies ingredients including cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices through a global value chain spanning farming, sourcing and manufacturing, with a strong focus on sustainability and traceability.

The partnership, running from 2025 to 2029, will focus on scaling regenerative agriculture practices across the companies’ shared cocoa supply chain, supporting their ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

In its first phase, the initiative will involve more than 960 farmers across key cocoa-growing regions including El Oro, Esmeraldas and Manabí, covering over 9,000 hectares of farmland. Growers will transition from full-sun monoculture to multistrata agroforestry systems, designed to mimic natural ecosystems, improve soil health and boost productivity.

Additional measures include the use of low-carbon fertilisers, improved crop residue management and biochar applications, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while increasing carbon capture and yields. The programme is also expected to benefit around 4,800 people in surrounding communities.

“Building on our long-standing collaboration in cocoa sourcing, this effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale,” Benjamin Guilbert, global vice president for cocoa at Mars, said.

“We value ofi’s ongoing commitment to helping Mars realise our vision of a more modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem that can support farmers and the environment.”

Andrew Brooks, head of cocoa sustainability at ofi, added that expanding access to regenerative practices will help farmers improve resilience while securing future cocoa supply.

“By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods,” Brooks said.

“Our latest climate action collaboration with Mars is sparked by our shared, science‑based net‑zero ambitions to create change for a stronger food system so we can continue to enjoy the chocolate products we all love. Working jointly in Ecuador for 10 years, we’re developing local insights to help accelerate positive impact for the people and landscapes vital for cocoa.”

The move aligns with both companies’ science-based climate targets and forms part of Mars’ wider Net Zero Roadmap, which aims to cut emissions across its full value chain against a 2015 baseline.

“True progress on climate requires shared ambition and mutually beneficial value,” Pedro Amaral, associate director and head of cocoa climate sustainability at Mars, said.

“Having Net Zero targets validated by SBTi enables a bold framework for Mars and ofi to invest together in the long term in solutions that are good for cocoa farmers, good for the environment, and good for the future of our supply chain.”

The announcement comes as sustainability and traceability continue to rise up the agenda for global food manufacturers, with cocoa supply chains under particular scrutiny over environmental and social impacts.