-
For everyone connected through cocoa
-
Meiji visits cocoa production areas all over the world.
By going to cocoa production areas, we can see that there are a variety of challenges.
There are issues such as the aging of cocoa trees, the problem of pests and diseases, the difficulty of obtaining agricultural materials, and the reduction of crop yields due to immature cultivation techniques. This prevents cocoa farmers from earning enough income.
Some countries and regions also face social issues of child labor and deforestation.
As a company involved in cocoa production, we can't leave this situation behind. We face challenges and work to improve each one And we aim to realize sustainable cocoa production.
Farmer, Meiji, Customer Make everyone smile connected by cocoa. That's our mission.
Information (Updates)
- February 29, 2024
- The website has been renewed.
Meiji's unique support for cocoa farmers
“Meiji Cocoa Support”
Meiji Cocoa Support is our unique cocoa farmer support program that began in 2006. We are aiming to enhance the sustainability of cocoa bean production by directly visiting production areas and working with various partners to address social issues. These issues include technical support to improve the quality of cocoa beans, improving the livelihoods of farmers and activities to conserve and restore the local environment.
Furthermore, to maintain and promote this activity, we purchase cocoa beans at a premium price when procuring them.
Aiming for 100% procurement of
"Meiji Sustainable Cocoa Beans"
by FY2026.
By FY2026, we aim to establish traceability to all contracted farms and procure 100% of "Meiji Sustainable Cocoa Beans," cocoa beans produced in areas where support for farmers has been provided. Aiming for sustainable cocoa bean production, we are working to solve social issues faced by cocoa bean-producing areas and farmers, such as child labor and deforestation.
- Establishing Traceability
- Establish traceability to the farms for all suppliers by FYE March 2027.
- Zero Child Labor
- Introduce Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS*) or an equivalent system to all suppliers in order to aim for zero child labor.
- STEP 1: Republic of Ghana by FYE March 2027 ▸ STEP 2: Other suppliers by FYE March 2031
- Zero Deforestation
- Ascertain the actual conditions of all suppliers’ farms by mapping with GPS, and strive to conserve and restore forests in order to aim for zero deforestation
- STEP 1: Republic of Ghana by FYE March 2027 ▸ STEP 2: Other vendors by FYE March 2031
-
Creating together a Better
Future for Cocoa
-
The Creator of Future Cocoa
World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an NPO established in 2000 by the world's major chocolate manufacturers and cocoa processing and distribution companies to establish sustainability in the cocoa sector. Meiji joined the organization in 2006 and is participating in its activities.
In addition, we are participating in the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI), a partnership of 35 companies which aims to reduce deforestation and protect forests through cocoa production in Republic of Ghana and Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.
-
Attended WCF Partnership Conference and CFI Meeting
In October 2022, we attended a face-to-face partnership meeting held in Brussels, Belgium for the first time in three years. Approximately 400 people from 31 countries, including industry leaders, farmers, government officials, related organizations, and researchers, gathered to share the current situation related to sustainability and hold discussions to find solutions to problems. We also attended the CFI conference, which was also held in Brussels. The 36 member companies gathered to review their activities up to that point, and then discussed the drafting of action plans for the three years from FY2022, confirming that each company will announce their plans in May 2023.
At the conference
-
Attended WCF Partnership Conference and CFI Meeting
A partnership conference in 2019 was held in Berlin, Germany. The conference was attended by 300 people from 46 member companies, cocoa farmers, governmental officials and NPO.
At the conference, we actively shared issues, introduced case studies, and exchanged views on such key issues as raising farmers' incomes, eliminating child labor, and preventing deforestation.
We finished the meeting after confirming that we would continue to focus on cocoa farmers.
CFI Meeting was held by 30 signatory companies, reviewing the activities in 2019, and exchanging information and opinions on the activities in 2020.
Report by representatives of producing countries 
Announcements by farmers' representatives in each country
-
-
Participated in partnership conferences and field trips
The 2018 partnership Conference was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with about 300 participants from 30 countries.
Activities in South America, including Brazil, focused on environmental themes, and discussions took place.
Since the event was held in cocoa producing countries, farmers from all over the world also held sessions.
After the meeting, a field trip was held, and 30 people participated.
We visited farms and research institutes to deepen understanding of cocoa agriculture in Brazil, including agroforestry.
Sessions by farmers in each country 
Field trip
-
-
-
Debriefing session by WCF Representatives Held
In April, we invited Deputy Representative WCF to a briefing on our activities.
We also participated in Meiji Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) and Cocoa Livelihoods Program (CLP) activities related to SDGs and exchanged views on these activities.
-
-
Participated in the Partnership Conference in FY 2017
The Partnership Conference was held in Washington, U.S.A., and was attended by about 300 people from cocoa, the chocolate industry, technical and financial support organizations, and NGO.
Compared to the past, there are many participants from support agencies and NGO, and there is a growing interest in sustainability.
Under the theme of "Accelerating Sustainability through Technology and Innovation," presentations and discussions focused on traceability and data transparency, inclusive growth and social impacts, and expertise and efficiency.
Overview of the meeting 
A scene of the subcommittee
-
-
Participated in the Partnership Conference and farm tours in FY 2016
The Partnership Conference was held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
A record 500 people participated in the event.
Under the theme of "People, Planet, Profit in a Changing World," participants discussed a wide range of topics, including sustainability, the empowerment of women farmers, deforestation, the development of young cocoa farmers, and technological innovations.
After the meeting, the participants also toured the sites of WCF activities such as plantations, research facilities, and communities.
Scene of a meeting
-
-
-
Participated in seminars on cocoa
In Guayaquil, Ecuador, workshops was conducted on the aroma and quality of cocoa from Latin America.
The meeting was attended by cocoa producers, researchers, the chocolate industry, government officials, and civil organizations. Meiji also presented it as a panelist.
Latin America is regarded as the origin of cocoa.
Each producer has its own unique flavors. In Latin America, WCF focuses on a variety of studies, environmental issues, agricultural modernization, and fragrance and qualities.
A scene from the seminar
-
-
-
Participated in the Partnership Conference in FY 2015
The Partnership Conference was held in Washington DC, U.S.A., and about 200 people participated, and it was also attended from Meiji.
The theme is "Proud of our Past, Focused on our Future." As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of WCF, we reviewed our activities to date and provided details regarding the future.
WCF has implemented a variety of activities to promote pest control measures and child labor elimination, and has achieved a certain level of results. However, we shared the view that we need to continue our efforts in the future, including improving productivity.
Scene of a meeting
-
-
-
Debriefing session by WCF Representatives Held
We invited WCF representatives to a briefing on our activities in April. After receiving briefings on Cocoa Action, which is a strategy to improve productivity and community development and to enrich cocoa farmers economically, and CLP, which is a program to realize this, we deepened our understanding through active Q&A sessions.
Following the first phase, Meiji also provided funding for the second phase (2014-2018). So far, 0.2 million farmers have received guidance on improving productivity and farm management, and the target country says that the yield has increased by 30-60%.
-
-
-
Participated in the 26th Partnership Conference
The Partnership Conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference was attended by 220 representatives from the chocolate and cocoa industries, retailers, cocoa producers, NPO, and research institutes from 23 countries. The conference was also attended by Meiji.
The theme is "Connecting Sustainability, Standards and Certification." We shared up-to-date information on strengthening the sustainability of cocoa and supporting cocoa farmers. Representatives of cocoa farmers and unions in West Africa also gave presentations, which gave them a good chance to learn about the production areas.
Exhibition at the entrance of the venue 
Panel discussion
-
-
-
Participated in 25th Partnership Conference and cocoa plantations Tour
The Partnership Conference was held in Denpasar, Indonesia, a producer of cocoa, with 300 participants, including Meiji. The meeting focused on cocoa farmer support, which included cocoa plantations revitalization, marketplace trends, sustainability and certification systems, and cocoa farm management to deepen understanding. In the week following the meeting, I visited several cocoa plantations where WCF support programs are practiced, along with cocoa researchers and NPO members. We heard from farmers, and they were able to realize that the productivity of farms has improved thanks to guidance on cultivation techniques such as pest control, fertilization, grafting, and pruning that utilize microorganism.
Grafting 
Seedling center
-
-
-
Debriefing session by WCF Representatives Held
On February 12, we invited representatives from WCF to hold an annual debriefing session. WCF has been enhancing various cocoa farm support activities, and after receiving a report stating that it has achieved concrete results and an explanation of its future activity policies, it conducted an active Q&A session.
We also received words of gratitude for our contributions to WCF activities, including participation in CLP, and were highly praised for Meiji's unique support for production areas and relationship with the farmers.
-
-
-
Participated in the 24th Partnership Conference
The 24th Partnership Conference of the Global Cocoa Foundation (WCF) was held in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. A total of 250 people participated and Meiji also attended the meeting. This is the third time cocoa has been held in the production area, following Ecuador and Ghana.
In the "Potential for the Growth of Latin American cocoa in Asian Markets" session, Meiji also presented as a panelist, and an active Q&A session was held. We also held cocoa tours to tour farms, fermentation, and drying processes, and learned about cocoa farming in the country.
Cocoa tour (farm tour)
-
-
-
Participated in WCF's flagship program
Meiji began providing financial support in FY 2013 to Cocoa Livelihoods Program (CLP, one of the flagship programs developed by the Global cocoa Foundation (WCF).
CLP is a program that aims to "increase marketing efficiency," "improve cocoa output and quality," and "improve farmers' competitiveness" in order to double the income of cocoa farmers in West Africa. The fund is funded by the Bill Gates Foundation, major chocolate manufacturers, cocoa processors, and traders. Meiji is the first Asian-based WCF member to support the fund.
Following the completion of the first phase in FY 2013, we plan the second phase of activities from 2014 to 2018.
-
As a food and health professional,
we will contribute to the
achievement of the SDGs.
We aim to create a sustainable society in which people can live healthy and with peace of mind. We will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs through activities such as Meiji Cocoa Support, which supports cocoa production areas.
