Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
May 2020
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
2
Introduction
The main goal of this report is to present the scope and scale of the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ cocoa certification programs in 2019 – calendar year. The report is created to inform our stakeholders and is part of our commitment to transparency.
The report focuses on the key indicators related to:
• Market uptake: sales of Rainforest Alliance Certified™ and UTZ certified cocoa;
• Program reach: estimated Rainforest Alliance Certified and UTZ certified cocoa production, premiums being paid and multi-certification of this production.
This report is part of the Rainforest Alliance monitoring and evaluation system. Most of the data in this report is collected via our online certification and traceability systems.
We do our best to ensure that all the information in this report is accurate and reliable. As much of the data is collected by third parties, we are aware that there may be some shortcomings.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
3
Summary
In April 2019, the Cocoa Assurance Plan (CAP) was implemented with a pause on new growth in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. No new producer groups and individual farms are allowed to join the program for the October 2019 - September 2020 harvest season.
Since Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are such important cocoa producing countries, this had an effect on the Africa and global figures, especially for the UTZ program.
All of this contributed to a significantly lower number of UTZ certificate holders in 2019 vs. 2018. It also translated into lower estimated UTZ certified volumes, areas and other key indicators in 2019 compared to 2018. The Rainforest Alliance cocoa program saw an increase in terms of program reach.
Through our CAP we have seen promising improvements in the assurance of our programs and GPS data quality. We are taking even stronger action in 2020. We have also seen a steady demand of UTZ and Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa, with increases in Ghana, Indonesia and DR Congo.
Latin America also experienced a drop in certificate holders and production volumes due to shifts in demand for certified cocoa from the continent. A decrease in demand (also due to low premium prices) led to producers dropping out of UTZ certification.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
Geographical program reach
Rainforest Alliance program
UTZ program
Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
The Rainforest Alliance and UTZ cocoa programs reach farmers and workers in 21 countries worldwide.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
5
Program reach: Rainforest Alliance and UTZ
Number of farmers
900+ K Area (hectare)
3 Million
Combined estimated production area Combined number of farmers
Combined figures are calculated by subtracting the figures of dual certified producer groups and individual farms from the total of UTZ and Rainforest Alliance.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance programUTZ program
Rainforest Alliance Cocoa program
Program reach
AfricaCameroon
Côte d'IvoireGhanaKenyaNigeria
Tanzania
Latin AmericaCosta Rica
Dominican RepublicEcuador
PeruTrinidad & Tobago
9
Geographical reach
AsiaIndia
IndonesiaPapua New Guinea
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
With Kenya added to the map, the number of countries with Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa producers increased to 14.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
Program reach
+11%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+10%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+6%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-43%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
Area (hectare)
815,321Number of farmers
209,484
Estimated production (MT)
439,503 Number of workers
(seasonal and permanent)
8,400
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
Program reach
Area (hectare) Number of farmers
Estimated production (MT)Number of workers
(seasonal and permanent)
In 2019, the estimated production area increased by 11% compared to 2018. This is mainly due to increases in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria.
In 2019, the number of farmers increased by 10% vs. 2018. 89% of all farmers are in Africa, 8% in Asia and 3% in Latin America. The top 3 countries with most farmers are: Côte d’Ivoire (46% of the global # farmers), Ghana (36%), and Indonesia (6%).
In 2019, the estimated certified volume increased by 6% vs 2018. The top 3 producing countries are: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Ecuador. These countries also contributed most to the total increase.
In 2019, the number of workers decreased by 43% compared to 2018. This is mainly due to the decertification of some farmers in India.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
Program reach686.283 692.228
740.822 736.727815.321
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Number of farmersArea (ha)
Number of workers (seasonal and permanent)
254.291
206.426 206.096189.793
209.484
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
491.622 473.480 457.082413.932 439.503
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
0 0 0
14.834
8.400
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Estimated production (MT)
No data available
+11%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+10%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+6%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-43%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
Global sales
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
14
Global cocoa sales
184.988 183.195202.568
2017 2018 2019
MT
coco
ab
ean
equi
vale
nt
-1%+11%
0
After last year’s decrease, the global Rainforest Alliance cocoa sales increased by 11% in 2019. This is mainly driven by purchases from Côte d’Ivoire (68% of the global sales), Ghana (21%), and Dominican Republic (6%).
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
15
Global sales per origin
The global sales increase is mainly driven by purchases from Côte d’Ivoire (68% of the global sales), Ghana (21%), and Dominican Republic (6%).
Africa accounted for 89% of the global sales, Latin America for 10% and Asia for 1%.
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
16
Global sales per origin136.956
42.518
11.757 8.2881.039 874 1.136
0
20.000
40.000
60.000
80.000
100.000
120.000
140.000
Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Dominican Republic Ecuador Indonesia Peru Other
MT
Gre
en C
offe
e Eq
uiva
lent
2017
2018
2019
Relative growth 2018-2019: +114% -1%+4% -11% -79%
The global sales increase is mainly driven by purchases from Côte d’Ivoire (68% of the global sales), Ghana (21%), and Dominican Republic (6%).
Africa accounted for 89% of the global sales, Latin America for 10%, and Asia for 1%. -91%+97%
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
17
Registered supply chain actors
810
945
1.059
1.158
1.274
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
‘Supply Chain Actors’ include exporters, traders, processors, manufacturers and retailers.
In 2019, the number of supply chain actors within the program increased by 116 (+10%).
In Europe the number increased by 50 (12%), including a new country, Cyprus. In North America the number of supply chain actors increased by 24 (6%); in Asia by 16 (10%); in Latin America by 14 (12%); and Africa by 12 (12%).
Estimated Production
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
19
Global estimated cocoa production
491.622473.480 457.082
413.932439.503
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
MT
coco
ab
ean
equi
vale
nt
+6%-9%
-3%-4%
After some years of decline, in 2019 the estimated global certified volume increased by 6% with a growth of 25,000 MT.
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
0
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
20
Estimated production per origin
The top 3 producing countries are: Côte d’Ivoire (57% of the global production), Ghana (27%), and Ecuador (7%).
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
21
Estimated production per origin
248.359
117.519
29.456 21.1449.529 5.461 3.295 1.527 3.213
0
50.000
100.000
150.000
200.000
250.000
300.000
350.000
Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Ecuador DominicanRepublic
Indonesia Nigeria Peru Papua NewGuinea
Other
MT
Gre
en C
offe
e Eq
uiva
lent
2017
2018
2019
Relative growth 2018-2019: +1% +13% +44%-6% -52%
The top 3 producing countries are: Côte d’Ivoire (57% of the global production), Ghana (27%), and Ecuador (7%).
Ghana: the 37% increase in certified volume is directly linked to the production area of the new farmers that were added to the certified farmer groups.
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
+37% +44%-17%
Supply and Demand ratio
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
23
Supply – Demand ratio
% of estimated production sold as Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM
40%
44%
46%
2017 2018 2019
Producers sold on average 46% of their estimated certified volume as Rainforest Alliance Certified™.
This is based on producer sales and estimated production. It indicates an estimate, not an absolute number.
Multi-certification
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programs
25
Multi-certification
27% UTZ
3% Organic
8% Fairtrade
3% Other
of the Rainforest Alliance producers groups and individual farms were
certified for at least one other standard
Multi-certified represents the number of Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM cocoa producer groups and individual farms that were also certified for one or more of the following schemes: UTZ, Organic, Fairtrade and other schemes.
Double-certification Rainforest Alliance and UTZ is the predominant combination with 27%.
29%
Certification data
26
27
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019Rainforest Alliance program
Country 2017 2018 2019
Global 457.082 413.932 439.503Côte d'Ivoire 279.324 245.124 248.359Dominican Republic 22.269 22.429 21.144Ecuador 34.679 26.057 29.456Ghana 75.067 85.959 117.519Indonesia 25.586 18.861 9.529Nigeria 9.844 3.795 5.461
Papua New Guinea 1.058 1.058 1.527
Peru 3.489 3.964 3.295
Other* 5.585 6.686 3.213
Estimated production (MT) Global sales (MT)
2017 2018 2019
Global 206.096 189.793 209.484
Africa 168.346 168.672 185.463Asia 28.752 13.909 16.717Latin America 8.998 7.212 7.304
Number of farmers
2017 2018 2019
Global - 14.834 8.400
Africa - 4.667 5.156Asia - 7.245 363Latin America - 2.922 2.881
Number of workers (permanent & seasonal)
2017 2018 2019
Global 740.822 736.727 815.321
Africa 645.298 655.352 749.482Asia 35.950 30.188 16.383Latin America 59.574 51.186 49.456
Area (Hectare)
Country 2017 2018 2019
Global 184.988 183.195 202.568 Côte d'Ivoire 123.562 131.442 136.956Dominican Republic 7.013 5.967 11.757Ecuador 9.820 8.369 8.288Ghana 20.873 19.852 42.518Indonesia 17.773 11.132 1.039Papua New Guinea 705 960 300
Peru 1.431 982 874
Other* 2.642 4490 837
*Other countries are Cameroon, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Tanzania and Trinidad & Tobago
UTZ Cocoa program
Program reach
AfricaCameroon
Côte d'IvoireDR Congo
GhanaNigeria
TanzaniaUganda
Latin AmericaBrazil
Costa RicaDominican Republic
EcuadorMexico
NicaraguaPanama
Peru
30
Geographical reach
AsiaIndonesiaVietnam
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
With Sierra Leone taken off the map, the number of countries with UTZ certified cocoa producers decreased from 18 to 17 in 2019.
Sierra Leone lost its two farmer groups due to lack of market access (not able to find buyers for certified cocoa).
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
Program reach
-15%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-4%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-16%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+3%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
Area (hectare)
2,541,054Number of farmers
771,632
Estimated production (MT)
1,337,340 Number of workers
(seasonal and permanent)
22,799
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
Program reach
Area (hectare) Number of farmers
Estimated production (MT) Number of workers (seasonal and permanent)
In 2019, the estimated production area dropped by 15% compared to 2018. The implementation of the Cocoa Assurance Plan reduced certified area in Côte d’Ivoire. Still, 50% of the certified area was in Côte d’Ivoire, and almost 30% in Ghana.
In 2019, we saw a decrease of 4% vs. 2018, due to a drop in Africa (-6%) and Latin America (-18%). As part of the Cocoa Assurance Plan, there was a pause on certification of new groups in West-Africa. Increased scrutiny led to more decertification of certificate holders. 90% of all farmers were in Africa (with 45% in Côte d’Ivoire, 27% in Ghana), 7% in Asia, and 3% in Latin America.
In 2019, the estimated certified volume decreased by 16% compared to 2018. This was mostly driven by a decrease of certified volume in Africa - mainly in Côte d’Ivoire - due to the implementation of the Cocoa Assurance Plan.
In 2019, the number of workers (+3% globally) remained almost constant in Africa vs. 2018 - increase in Ghana offset by the decrease in Côte d'Ivoire. The increase in Asia (+74%) is mainly due to Indonesia, the decrease in Latin America (-17%) is mainly driven by Brazil and Ecuador.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
Program reach
1.530.137
2.096.939
2.706.5963.007.123
2.541.054
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Number of farmersArea (ha)
Number of workers (seasonal and permanent)
465.631
614.506
744.778807.880 771.632
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
917.603
1.188.166
1.449.8821.600.161
1.337.340
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
17.645
23.67521.781 22.176 22.799
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Estimated production (MT)
-15%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-4%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
-16%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
+3%
Relative growth 2018-2019:
Global sales
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
35
Global cocoa sales
581.709639.087
1.166.649
965.845 943.436
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
MT
coco
ab
ean
equi
vale
nt
+ 10%
+ 83%
-17% -2%
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
In 2019, the global UTZ cocoa sales remained stable with a slight decrease of 2%. The decrease is mainly due to a sales drop from Côte d'Ivoire.
Africa accounted for 89% of the global sales, Latin America for 7%, and Asia for 4%.
0
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
36
Global sales per origin
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
Despite the decrease in sales from Côte d'Ivoire, 89% of the cocoa was purchased from Africa (60% from Côte d'Ivoire, 15% from Ghana), 4% from Asia, and 7% from Latin America.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
37
Global sales per origin
573.038
147.372
60.383 42.794 40.074 31.94720.293 16.986 10.549
0
100.000
200.000
300.000
400.000
500.000
600.000
700.000
Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Nigeria Indonesia Ecuador Cameroon DR Congo Peru Other
MT
coco
a b
ean
equi
vale
nt
20152016201720182019
Relative growth 2018-2019: -12% +51% +5% +132% +95%-34% -13%-7% -55%
‘Global sales’ are all the confirmed volumes sold from a certified producer to the first buyer. Years are calendar years.
Global sales decrease is mainly due to a decrease in sales from Côte d'Ivoire. As part of the Cocoa Assurance Plan, more stringent requirements on certificate holders (farmers and companies) were implemented.
In Ghana, a combination of new producers and new buyers in the program resulted in increased sales.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
38
Registered supply chain actors
879
1184
1387
1551
1730
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
‘Supply Chain Actors’ include traders, exporter, retailers, grinders, manufacturers, and confectionery.
In 2019, the number of supply chain actors within the program increased by 179 (+12%).
All regions saw an increase (the highest in Europe), except for Africa. In Africa, the implementation of the Cocoa Assurance Plan reduced the number of certified supply chain actors, as all of them now need to be audited to get certified.
In total supply chain actors from 8 new countries joined the UTZ program.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
39
Premium
102
8983 83 84
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Average UTZ premium in EUR/MT
UTZ global average cocoa premium increased to 84 EUR/MT.
The UTZ Premium is an additional cash amount paid above the market price for a similar conventional (non-certified/non-verified) product. It is mandatory and agreed upon between the certified group or producer and the first buyer.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
40
Premium
€59.57
€84.02
€127.27
Latin America Africa Asia
Average UTZ premium in EUR/MT
2019 Global weighted average UTZ premium
In 2019, the average premium paid for UTZ certified cocoa from Asia increased by 39%. The premium in Latin America decreased by 13%, while the average for UTZ cocoa from Africa remained stable.
Estimated Production
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
42
Global estimated cocoa production
917.603
1.188.166
1.449.882
1.600.161
1.337.340
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
MT
coco
ab
ean
equi
vale
nt
+29%
+22%
+10%
-16%
In 2019, the estimated certified volume decreased by 16%, approximately 250,000 MT. This was mostly driven by a decrease of certified volume in Africa - mainly in Côte d’Ivoire - due to the implementation of the Cocoa Assurance Plan. 0
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
43
Estimated production per origin
Despite the drop of estimated certified volume in Côte d’Ivoire, this country still accounted for around 50% of the global certified volume in 2019, and Ghana for 20%.
In Latin America, estimated certified volume decreased in most countries, driven by a lack of demand (due to no market access).
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
44
Estimated production per origin
706.072
300.560
116.95858.139 42.334 28.092 27.283 27.189 36.629
0
100.000
200.000
300.000
400.000
500.000
600.000
700.000
800.000
900.000
1.000.000
Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Nigeria Ecuador Indonesia Peru Cameroon DR Congo Other
MT
coco
a b
ean
equi
vale
nt
20152016201720182019
Relative growth 2018-2019: -27% +31% -10%-6% +68% -12% +3%-54% -37%
Despite the drop of estimated certified volume in Côte d’Ivoire vs. last year, this country still accounted for around 50% of the global certified volume, and Ghana for 20% in 2019.
Estimated production is based on information from certificates valid on December 31, 2019.
Supply and Demand ratio
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
46
Supply – Demand ratio
% of estimated production sold as UTZ
54%
76%
60%
71%
2016 2017 2018 2019
Producers sold on average 71% of their estimated certified volume as UTZ certified.
This is based on producer sales and estimated production. It indicates an estimation, not an absolute number.
Multi-certification
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
48
Multi-certification
9% Rainforest Alliance
12% Fairtrade
5% Organic
of the UTZ producer groups and individual
farms were certified for at least one other
standard
22%
Multi-certified represents the number of UTZ cocoa producer groups and individual farms that were also certified for one or more of the following schemes: Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Organic. Other schemes are excluded from the total Multi-certification figures.
Double-certification UTZ and Fairtrade is the predominant combination with 12%.
Certification data
49
Cocoa Certification Data Report 2019UTZ program
50
Estimated production (MT) Global sales (MT)
2017 2018 2019
Global 744.778 807.880 771.632
Africa 645.440 746.001 698.281Asia / Pacific 72.084 37.552 53.514Latin America 27.254 24.327 19.837
Number of farmers
2017 2018 2019
Global 21.781 22.176 22.799
Africa 11.385 13.023 14.476Asia / Pacific 2.467 798 1.390Latin America 7.929 8.355 6.933
Number of workers (permanent & seasonal)
2017 2018 2019
Global 2.706.596 3.007.123 2.541.054
Africa 2.448.750 2.805.451 2.372.039Asia / Pacific 86.242 41.801 51.715Latin America 171.604 159.871 117.300
Area (Hectare)
Country 2017 2018 2019
Global 1.449.882 1.600.161 1.337.340
Brazil 6.113 14.050 6.991
Cameroon 69.437 59.957 27.283
Côte d'Ivoire 817.264 973.496 706.072Dominican Republic 28.714 32.873 19.359
DR Congo 17.871 26.324 27.189
Ecuador 83.130 64.786 58.139
Ghana 193.566 229.996 300.560
Indonesia 60.959 25.162 33.640
Nicaragua 1.417 2.053 2.778
Nigeria 99.314 124.658 116.958
Peru 42.468 31.894 28.092
Uganda 7.442 6.441 7.725
Other* 3.687 2.901 2.554
Country 2017 2018 2019
Global 1.166.649 965.845 943.436
Brazil 2.829 4.041 2.937
Cameroon 71.805 48.283 31.947
Côte d'Ivoire 671.854 647.873 573.038Dominican Republic 12.923 13.630 2.338
DR Congo 8.694 10.403 20.293
Ecuador 49.560 42.925 40.074
Ghana 176.201 97.386 147.372
Indonesia 64.658 18.429 42.794
Nicaragua 337 716 1.141
Nigeria 70.976 57.487 60.383
Peru 20.892 19.500 16.986
Uganda 5.289 2.836 2.559
Other* 2.682 725 1.573
*Other countries are Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Tanzania and Vietnam
51