Ferrero, the second biggest chocolate manufacturer in the world, has announced its Hazelnut Charter and Action Plan for 2024-26, reaffirming its dedication to creating a hazelnut industry that benefits all stakeholders as the nut is a key ingredient in many of the company’s products.
This new initiative aims to enhance the working and living conditions of agricultural workers and their families, while also promoting supply chain traceability and regenerative agriculture.
Ferrero’s 2024-26 commitments include strengthening its partnership with the ILO by extending it for another three years to eliminate child labour and further improve fair and safe working conditions with a focus on responsible recruitment, fair wages, and improved health, safety, and housing.
The new action plan also emphasises the promotion of regenerative agriculture principles and sharing best practices with farmers.
As a part of supplier transparency, Ferrero will build on its current traceability levels of over 90% of hazelnuts being traceable back to the farm level. The company will publish the Ferrero Farming Values Production Standard and Guidelines on the Ferrero Hazelnut Company website.
“At Ferrero, we’re always pushing for better. With our initial Hazelnut Charter in 2021, we laid a strong foundation,” said Marco Botta, General Manager, Ferrero Hazelnut Company, adding, “Today, we launch our new Hazelnut Charter building on the strong achievements we have made over the last three years. As a company, we will endeavour to contribute to realising an end-to-end hazelnut supply chain that is traceable, sustainable, and provides a fair and caring environment for all involved.”
The company’s 2023 progress report which was also released along with the Charter highlights over 90% traceability of hazelnuts back to the farm level, 100% supplier compliance with Ferrero’s Supplier Code, and engagement with more than 21,000 hazelnut farmers through sustainable production guidelines.
In the realm of human rights and social practices, Ferrero has audited 1,163 farms against Ferrero Farming Production Standard in three years, since the Hazelnut Charter was launched. For environmental protection and sustainability, the company has implemented four Farm Management Plans at its Agrifarms, incorporating regenerative agriculture principles.