Mars and ofi partnership to drive gains in net zero cocoa production

Mars, Incorporated and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have announced a new five-year strategic collaboration (2025–2029) aimed at accelerating net zero cocoa production in Ecuador.

The initiative focuses on implementing climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices across more than 9,000 hectares of farmland — an area roughly the size of the Greek island of Santorini.

The collaboration targets more than 960 farmers across major cocoa-growing regions, including El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, and Santo Domingo. The primary goal is to transition these farmers from traditional full-sun monoculture to multistrata agroforestry.

• Agroforestry benefits: by mimicking natural forest ecosystems, these systems support pollinators, create natural pest barriers, and boost cocoa production
• Technical interventions: farmers will be equipped with tools for low-carbon fertilisers, improved crop residue management, and the application of biochar to enhance soil health.
• Climate impact: these practices are designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing CO₂ removals from the atmosphere.

This collaboration is underpinned by the shared ambition of both companies to achieve net zero by 2050. Crucially, both Mars and ofi have had their climate commitments validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring that their interventions meet rigorous, science-based standards.

Beyond environmental metrics, the partnership aims to strengthen the long-term economic resilience of cocoa-growing communities.

• Yield improvements: enhanced soil health is directly linked to increased cocoa crop yields, providing more stable income for farmers.
• Social reach: approximately 4,800 people in surrounding communities are estimated to benefit from these on-farm investments.
• Barriers to entry: by providing technical tools and training, the program reduces the cost and technical barriers that often prevent farmers from adopting more sustainable practices.

Benjamin Guilbert, global vice president of cocoa at Mars, highlighted the importance of shared goals: “This effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale.”

Andrew Brooks, head of cocoa sustainability at ofi, added that the collaboration is about more than just emissions: “By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation… while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods.”

The ofi and Mars partnership sets a precedent for long-term, landscape-level sustainability. For manufacturers and suppliers, it demonstrates that reaching net zero requires moving beyond simple carbon offsets toward insetting — physically changing the way ingredients are grown within the supply chain. As consumer demand for climate-positive chocolate grows, this Ecuadorian model serves as a blueprint for how global brands can co-invest in the soil health and biodiversity that will secure the future of the cocoa supply.