ZURICH, Switzerland, Nov. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
* Report highlights company's commitment to creating a sustainable cocoa
supply chain
* Cocoa Horizons sustainability initiative provides training, aims to improve
crop yields, farmer income and farmer livelihoods
Zurich/Switzerland, Chicago/United States - November 12, 2013 - Barry Callebaut
- the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products
- today announced its 2012/13 Sustainability Report which details the company's
strategy in the areas of sustainable cocoa, environmental protection and
employee development. The report focuses on the Barry Callebaut initiatives that
improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, through sustainable cocoa practices.
"With a growing global demand for chocolate, a sustainable cocoa supply chain is
vital for long-term business growth," said Barry Callebaut CEO Juergen
Steinemann. "In order to ensure sufficient cocoa production for years to come,
we have embedded sustainability into our corporate strategy."
As outlined in the report, Barry Callebaut has identified three main challenges
to sustainable cocoa farming:
* Need for farmer training in good agricultural practices to improve crop
productivity and farmer income
* Lack of adequate plant materials, fertilizers and pesticides available to
farmers
* Insufficient farmer access to funds to invest in pesticides, fertilizers and
yield-enhancing practices.
To address the gaps in knowledge, materials and funding, the report documents
the various elements of the company's global sustainability initiative, Cocoa
Horizons. Established in 2012, the program is built upon three key pillars to
improve cocoa sustainability: farmer practices, farmer education and farmer
health.
Farmer Practices
Improving farmer practices through training is at the heart of Cocoa Horizons.
Barry Callebaut believes that farmer training leads to better agricultural
practices, which lead to more productive cocoa trees, higher yields, increased
farmer incomes, and ultimately better livelihood for farmers.
The report highlights the opening of a new Cocoa Center of Excellence in Pacobo,
Côte d'Ivoire, to equip farmers with practical know-how. The Center, which
opened in July 2013, provides training in good agricultural practices, post-
harvest management techniques, optimal use of inputs, crop diversification, farm
rehabilitation and grafting, and basic business skills.
Approximately 300 managers of cocoa cooperatives will receive training during
the center's first year of operation. Once qualified, those farmers will share
knowledge with two additional Barry Callebaut farmer academies, then 12 model
farms, and eventually to 575 field schools across Côte d'Ivoire. This cascade
approach was designed to provide advanced training to farmers in even some of
the most remote areas of Africa. To date, 110,000 farmers across Africa have
received training.
Farmer Education and Health
In addition to farmer training, Cocoa Horizons has community programs that
improve access to primary education for children of farm workers in Côte
d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Brazil. These programs also provide cocoa
curriculum; contribute to educational infrastructure; and support literacy, life
skills and vocational training.
Cocoa Horizons also addresses basic health needs of farmers in remote cocoa
farming regions. Barry Callebaut works with its partner cooperatives, and the
communities themselves, to provide access to potable water.
"Now more than ever, our customers are interested in products with a certain
level of social and environmental assurance," said Dave Johnson, president and
CEO of Barry Callebaut Region Americas. "Our sustainability initiatives allow us
to be a leading supplier of sustainable as well as certified cocoa and chocolate
products," he added. "From sourcing and processing cocoa beans, to manufacturing
the highest quality chocolate, Barry Callebaut remains committed to improving
sustainability along the entire cocoa supply chain."
The report also presents Barry Callebaut's sustainability strategy for
environmental protection and employee development. The company makes concerted
efforts to minimize its environmental impact in the areas of production and
transportation, which account for the majority of its environmental footprint.
Barry Callebaut also remains focused on preparing future leaders by developing
and promoting its people to fulfill their potential.
Barry Callebaut's reporting uses leading standards and methodologies for
measuring and reporting impacts, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the
Global Reporting Initiative.
The complete Barry Callebaut Sustainability report, which includes videos
assets, can be found here.
***
Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com):
With annual sales of about CHF 4.9 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion)
in fiscal year 2012/13, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world's leading
manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products - from sourcing and
processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate
fillings, decorations and compounds. The company runs more than 50 production
facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of
over 8,500 people.
Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry, from industrial food
manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as
chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two
global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are
Callebaut(®) and Cacao Barry(®).
Barry Callebaut is committed to a sustainable cocoa production through its
"Cocoa Horizons" initiative, and to help ensure future supplies of cocoa as well
as improve farmer livelihoods.
***
Contacts
for investors and financial analysts: for the media:
Evelyn Nassar Nikki Lopez (in the U.S.)
Head of Investor Relations
Barry Callebaut AG Porter Novelli
Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 Phone: 312-552-6315
evelyn_nassar@barry-callebaut.com nikki.lopez@porternovelli.com
Jens Rupp (outside the U.S.)
Head of CSR Communications
Barry Callebaut AG
Phone: +41 43 204 03 76
jens_rupp@barry-callebaut.com
The complete news release and various images can be downloaded from the
following links:
CSR Sustainability Report Cover: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585725.jpg
Primary School in Abokro: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585643.jpg
PRR Sustainability Report: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585636.pdf
Water Filter: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585644.jpg
Pacobo Center of Excellence: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585641.jpg
Barry Callebaut Farmer Training: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585642.jpg
CEO Juergen Steinemann visiting Côte d'Ivoire: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1742240/585640.jpg
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