Here’s a bold statement: The future of chocolate depends on how we grow cocoa today. But here’s where it gets controversial—can we really make cocoa farming both low-carbon and profitable for smallholder farmers? Sucden and Mars are betting on it with a groundbreaking five-year collaboration aimed at transforming cocoa production in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. This partnership isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about creating a climate-resilient cocoa supply chain that benefits everyone involved—from farmers to consumers. And this is the part most people miss: Raw ingredients alone account for 65% of Mars’ total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making this initiative a critical piece of their 2030 ambition to cut emissions by 50% and achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Announced on December 15, 2025, this collaboration (2025-2029) brings together Sucden’s on-the-ground expertise in cocoa production and Mars’ sustainability goals. The project focuses on science-driven solutions and farmer-centered approaches to reduce GHG emissions while boosting productivity. Participating farmers will adopt climate-smart practices like using improved planting materials, low-carbon fertilizers, aerobic composting, and agroforestry techniques. These methods not only enhance soil health and yields but also align with Mars’ GHG reduction targets and Sucden’s commitment to regenerative supply chains.
But here’s the bold question: Can these practices truly scale across the entire cocoa industry? If successful, this project could set a precedent for sustainable cocoa farming globally. Over the next five years, the program aims to support hundreds of farmers across 5,250 hectares in priority regions, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Sucden’s technical partners will use advanced modeling tools and field assessments to measure emission reductions and long-term environmental impact, ensuring the project delivers tangible results.
Pedro Amaral, Associate Director and Head of Cocoa Climate Sustainability at Mars, emphasizes the collaborative nature of this effort: “The world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. By working with suppliers like Sucden, we’re building a deforestation-free cocoa supply chain that benefits farmers, suppliers, and Mars alike. This partnership is a step toward a more modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem.”
Charlotte Demuijnck, Sucden’s Global Cocoa Program Manager, highlights the urgency of coordinated action: “Addressing climate challenges in cocoa requires specialized capabilities. Sucden’s deep experience in farmer engagement and sustainability program delivery is essential for implementing complex, multi-year initiatives. Through this partnership, we aim to deliver science-based interventions that strengthen the resilience of the cocoa supply chain in Latin America.”
Here’s the thought-provoking part: If agroforestry techniques prove effective and scalable, they could play a pivotal role in Mars’ larger sustainability goals, as outlined in their Net Zero Roadmap. But will these practices be widely adopted by farmers, and can they compete with traditional methods in terms of cost and ease? That’s the million-dollar question—one that this collaboration aims to answer. What do you think? Can sustainable cocoa farming become the norm, or is it an idealistic dream? Let’s discuss in the comments!
