Regarding cocoa beans, which are the raw material for chocolate, child labor and environmental destruction have become problems in Africa, which is the main production area.
Under these circumstances, Fuji Oil Co., Ltd., a major commercial chocolate company headquartered in Osaka, will strengthen the procurement of cacao beans from production areas that are working to eradicate child labor, and will start producing sustainable chocolate in Japan from next month. Will be shipped to.
Cacao beans, which are the raw material for chocolate, are produced in regions such as Africa and South America, but there are problems such as child labor and environmental destruction due to deforestation, so in Europe and the United States, a sustainable production system should be shifted. The voice is spreading.
Under these circumstances, Fuji Oil, the world's third-largest commercial chocolate company, has strengthened and sustained the procurement of cacao beans from production areas that meet its own standards, such as efforts to eradicate child labor and raise the income of producers. We will ship chocolates with consideration for possibilities to the domestic market from next month.
According to the company, these chocolates are expected to account for a few percent of the products produced domestically, but we plan to increase the proportion in the future.
The company has a mechanism to add a support money called "premium" when purchasing such cacao beans, and through support to producers, it is possible to eradicate child labor from its own cacao bean procurement network by 2030. I am aiming for.
Consumer understanding and burden are the points
It has been pointed out that in Japan, support and procurement efforts for producers and environmentally friendly cacao beans are delayed compared to Europe and the United States, but the response is gradually expanding mainly in the retail industry.
Of these, Aeon, a major distributor, plans to switch the cacao beans used in private brand chocolate products to those that have been certified by international organizations or that the company directly supports producers by 2030. Is listed.
In addition, "Meiji", which manufactures and sells chocolate, provides support such as free distribution of highly productive seedlings and farming guidance in nine countries including Africa and Central and South America.
"Meiji" has announced a policy to switch all cacao beans procured by 2026 to those produced in the regions that received such support, including our own.
This time, Fuji Oil, a major commercial chocolate company, will promote similar efforts to increase the distribution channels of chocolate made in consideration of producers and the environment.
Prices will be added to the amount of appropriate consideration paid to sustainable cocoa producers, but it seems that the point of popularization will be for consumers to understand these products and accept the appropriate burden. is.