A living wage in the cocoa sector remains an unattainable goal

In their statement, published on 15 November 2023, regarding the latest edition of the FNK’s annual monitoring report, the civil society members of the Forum highlight the following points in particular:

• Despite all efforts, the existing strategies and measures adopted by industry and the retail sector are insufficient, and a holistic approach is needed to close the income gap.
• In particular, the level of premium payments – a crucial instrument for increasing incomes – falls short of expectations.
• The expected crop yields – also a key factor in increasing farmers’ incomes – have been set unrealistically high despite numerous support measures; the statement therefore urgently calls for a reality check.
• Despite the welcome annual monitoring report, many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the premiums paid, due to a lack of transparency; this stands in the way of mutual learning within the Forum for Sustainable Cocoa.

Further details, particularly regarding the recommendations for action for the individual stakeholder groups, have been set out by the civil society members of the FNK in their detailed statement.

The Forum for Sustainable Cocoa is a multi-stakeholder initiative founded in 2012, in which representatives from business, politics and civil society work together to improve, amongst other things, the living conditions of farmers.