ALDI continues to support its long-term Fairtrade partner, the cocoa cooperative ECAMOM in Côte d'Ivoire. Our new joint project addresses critical issues in the local cocoa sector and focuses on sustainable development and a positive transformation of the cooperative.
The ALDI SOUTH Group started the collaboration with the cocoa cooperative ECAMOM, Fairtrade, and chocolate manufacturer Storck in 2020. It all began with an assessment of how the Fairtrade system affects the livelihoods of its farmers. By tracking how and for what the premiums are used, ECAMOM can monitor what farmers are able to achieve with them and identify areas where additional support is needed. For their current product range, ALDI and Storck source a significant amount of cocoa beans a year from the cooperative.
The challenge of sourcing cocoa sustainably
Côte d'Ivoire plays a significant role in global cocoa production. The country's economy is heavily dependent on cocoa farming, with millions of smallholder farmers contributing to its production. Human rights violations, including child labour or gender inequality, as well as environmental risks, such as deforestation and the economic impact of decreasing yields, are the key challenges. Together with its partners, the ALDI SOUTH Group aims to establish fairer working and trading conditions, stimulate social change and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. Find out more about our goals and actions regarding cocoa.
What have we achieved so far?
Fairtrade enables the cooperative and its farmers to secure a guaranteed minimum price for their cocoa, along with an additional Fairtrade premium, the use of which is democratically decided within the cooperative. Our commitment to a long-term partnership means purchasing under Fairtrade conditions which allows ECAMOM to plan and invest further due to better financial possibilities. Members receive training on key issues such as better farming practices, women's empowerment, child protection and sustainable land use. Together we have published two annual reports monitoring the impact of the collaboration. They highlight the economic, social and environmental benefits for farming communities, as well as the challenges that remain and the potential for sustainable growth.
Visiting ECAMOM’s cocoa farms
To foster our long-term relationship, ALDI visited ECAMOM together with Fairtrade Africa and Fairtrade Germany in October 2022. Engaging with the cocoa farmers gave us an insight into cocoa farming in Côte d'Ivoire today, the challenges it faces and the difference the Fairtrade premium can make. We learned that ECAMOM provides its members with wheelbarrows to reduce the need to carry heavy loads, a pump for drinking water and more efficient cook stoves to reduce dependence on firewood. The cooperative supports families with school kits for their children and has built six schools since its inception in 2006.
Meeting the members and their communities was a great opportunity to exchange questions and ideas and discuss our future collaboration face-to-face. The in-person exchanges helped us to better understand each other’s goals and challenges. It laid the foundation for the now newly launched project.
ALDI's commitment to ECAMOM’s growth
In 2024, the ALDI SOUTH Group started a new two-year project with ECAMOM, Fairtrade, and Storck. It focuses on the implementation of key initiatives and selected activities: promoting women's empowerment, tackling child labour, increasing financial inclusion, and ensuring deforestation monitoring to fulfil the EU deforestation regulation’s requirement.
Enhancing our cocoa farmer’s livelihoods
Women’s School of Leadership
Female farmers make up a significant proportion of the labour force in cocoa farming. At the same time, they often face unequal access to resources, education and decision-making power. Empowering women in the cocoa sector is crucial to its growth.
The Women's School of Leadership is a training programme for female farmers. It provides them with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to actively participate in decision-making processes, improve farm management practices and promote economic independence. Specific mentorship programs will be established to provide ongoing support and guidance. This initiative aims to bridge the gender gap and encourage women to take on leadership roles within their cooperatives.
Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System
Despite ongoing efforts to eliminate child labour, it continues to persist in some cocoa farming communities and needs to be addressed with a holistic approach.
We recognise the urgency of tackling child labour: A comprehensive monitoring and remediation system will be put in place to prevent, identify and remediate where possible. By working with local communities and stakeholders, this initiative aims to ensure that children have access to education, a safe environment and adequate opportunities for development. It is important to reinforce the existing system for remediating and educate affected children about their rights.
Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA)
As the majority of smallholder cocoa farmers have no access to formal financial services, they are highly vulnerable to economic instability. Their ability to grow, invest or adopt sustainable practices is limited.
Financial inclusion is critical to the economic empowerment of smallholder farmers. Therefore, our project activities include training workshops on financial management, savings, and basic entrepreneurship skills. Establishing VSLAs gives (especially female) farmers access to financial services that will improve their economic resilience. It also makes them less vulnerable during periods of low cocoa production.
Polygon Mapping for Farm Management
Farms often lack clear boundaries and standardised management practices. This can make it difficult to monitor deforestation and, in the worst case, lead to decertification from the Fairtrade system and the exclusion from the European market.
For our project, we are using modern technology to create polygon maps that accurately depict the boundaries and characteristics of each farm. The farmers are trained in using those mapping tools and interpreting the data for informed decision making. This data-driven approach helps ECAMOM maintain market access. The data is not only required for the upcoming EU deforestation regulation, but also enables more effective farm management, resource allocation and environmental protection.
A thriving cocoa sector
The project's overarching goal is to foster sustainable development and positive transformation of the cooperative by strengthening ECAMOM and implementing targeted initiatives. The project aims to create a more equitable and thriving cocoa sector that benefits farmers, families, and the nation at large.
This collaborative effort aligns with ALDI’s Global Sustainability Strategy, reinforcing our commitment to making sustainability affordable for our customers while advancing the development of sustainable supply chains.
Find out more about the impact of our collaboration. The reports highlight the benefits and challanges for farming communities.
