"There is a lot of satisfaction with the successes in the first year of certification - especially because we had to work hard to get here and we see results : higher productivity and therefore better income, increased awareness about HIV/AIDS and child labor. In the years to come we hope to consolidate these achievements and reach more cocoa producers in order to prevent degradation of our ecosystem because of human action. We desire to see UTZ CERTIFIED expanding to all producers because we are convinced that it is an effective way to ensure the sustainability of Ivorian cocoa."
Mr. Kouakou Jacques, President of the Administration Council

"UTZ CERTIFIED has added value to all our cooperators in many aspects, many of us agree. First in terms of training : the farmers have learned a lot in the Farmer Field School. Because of the knowledge, the plantations are maintained better which results in better performance. Finally the premium is an important incentive in the program. Even the most sceptical members have understood the importance and benefits of the UTZ certification and being part of the program."
N'Bra Kouakou, 1st vice-president

"The certification is beneficial because it brings good quality cocoa in larger volumes which results in good sales. UTZ CERTIFIED enables the cooperative and the farmers to strengthen their position in the market, to be in charge, to organize themselves. It encourages farmers to grow cocoa!"
Mr. Yao N'Dri Pascal, President of the Administration Council

"First of all I want to thank the cooperatives for taking up the initiative and getting certified. Joining UTZ CERTIFIED we were able to improve our agricultural, social and environmental practices in cocoa growing. The small-scale farmers have improved their cultivation practices in such way that they have a better crop and higher productivity. At the same time this means higher income: for the better product they receive a better price. The quality improvement is the result of the total compliance with the UTZ CERTIFIED Code of Conduct. UTZ CERTIFIED trains producers on good farm management focusing on good agricultural techniques and post-harvest handling like pruning, plantation renewing and cocoa fermentation. The certification monitors and ensures the long-term success of cocoa growing. In addition, UTZ CERTIFIED raises awareness about big social issues like the importance of schooling for children, the fight against child labor and prevention of HIV/AIDS."
Mr Assoi Kangah Clovis, General Director

"Being part of the global program of UTZ CERTIFIED has been a great experience. Our producers enjoy more and more benefits, directing their farms towards (self-) sustainability. They strengthen their efforts to protect the environment and to improve labor conditions of the workers. This all leads to transparent processes in the group.
Developing the project meant hard work. But knowing that we will achieve a collective wellbeing encouraged us to continue our work to give the producers the opportunity to have more profitable crops in a favorable and sustainable environment for the future generations, from an economic, social and environmental point of view."
Gabriel Leon Roig Alfaro, Vice-President Export

Pedro Martinetti is an exporter owning the brand Cocoamar. He is specialized in trade of specialty cocoa, certified organic and now also UTZ CERTIFIED.
Hacienda Zoilita and Hacienda Ramjor have recently obtained the UTZ certification. In total the exportable volume is 200 MT of cocoa Sabor Arriva.

Cocoa Abrabopa Association is a farmer-based association that seeks to train and educate Ghanaian cocoa farmers on excellent farm maintenance practices, business and entrepreneurial skills and soil fertility management. This will lead to improved cocoa production, better market access and higher income.

Cocoa Abrabopa Association is the first one to receive UTZ certification in Ghana - 500 farmers have met the requirements of the Code of Conduct. The certification has been approved by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and implemented with the collaboration of various Licencing Buying Companies (LBC's) and both local and foreign processors and buyers.

In 2006, about 1,400 farmers were registered to start the Cocoa Abrabopa Association, which has its headquarters in Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region. Today, the number stands at more than 19,000 members with operations covering all cocoa growing regions nationwide.

The El Quinacho cooperative was founded in 1970 by the farmers themselves, lead by an entrepreneurial vision and managed democratically and equally by all of them. The cooperative is active in the north part of the River Apurímac and River Ene Valley (VRAE), the main cocoa producing region in Peru. The 530 members come from approximately 90 communities, mainly from the departments of Ayacucho, Cuzco and Junín. Their main activity is coffee and cocoa growing.
Since 2005 the El Quinacho cooperative exports directly to the European market. 5 years later the cooperators made a great effort and achieved as first group the UTZ certification in cocoa in South America. 204 of the members comply with the requirements and will be exporting their excellent product to Europe. The VRAE is proud of El Quinacho and sees it as an example.

"By participating in the UTZ CERTIFIED Cocoa Program, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to the collective efforts underway to help farmers in some of the poorest countries of the world. Our shared aim is to help farmers to grow cocoa in a manner that is sustainable and that safeguards the environment - while at the same time enabling them to increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods."
Steven Retzlaff, President of Global Sourcing & Cocoa

"Our World Grows Together! - This is the principle coming to mind when we think about globalization. The UTZ CERTIFIED Cocoa Program helps us in understanding our commitment to an ecological, economical and social environment! For more than 150 years Albrecht & Dill has been providing cocoa from all parts of the world for the chocolate manufacturing industry. To maintain our profound relationships to producing countries we have to care about every single part within the cocoa chain. We should aim toward a greater participation within the supply chain to produce products from cocoa beans which have been cultivated, harvested, and traded in a fair manner. This is how we will enjoy good chocolate in the future!"
Jascha Köppen, Cocoa Junior Trader / Cocoa Sustainability Projects

"As a co-founder of the UTZ Certified cocoa program we are wholeheartedly committed to building a transparent and sustainable supply chain, and we believe that training farmers is the key to achieving sustainability. Through our intensive Farmer Field School program we help increase farmers' incomes, realize future growth in cocoa farming, and support the cocoa communities. The training itself raises them to the level of UTZ Certification - ensuring economically, environmentally and socially sustainable cocoa production now and for generations to come."
Harold Poelma, Managing Director Cocoa

We at Chocolat Frey AG stand by a sustainable development, taking into account ecological, social and economic aspects along the entire value chain. We see taking part in the UTZ CERTIFIED program as an opportunity to account for our principles in the countries of origin of cocoa. Our priority is given to significantly improving the living conditions and securing the long-term livelihood of the cocoa farmers.
Fabienne Dahinden, Sustainability & Issue Management Chocolat Frey AG

Dobla BV

"The starting points of UTZ CERTIFIED and the fact that these are indeed controlled and certified match perfectly our corporate social responsibility goals. Jamin is synonym of enjoying special moments and tasty products of good quality for a good price. This is valid also for our supply chains. Good production practices are extremely important for Jamin and UTZ CERTIFIED will helps us to measurably achieve them. Furthermore it is of uttermost importance that our products are tasty! We are not making any concessions with taste or quality. We are convinced that partnering with UTZ CERTIFIED we will be able to follow successfully this route."
Anita Wetterhahn-Reijnen, General Director

"At Mars we believe in making a difference to the next generation by responsibly sourcing & using raw materials and packaging. Sustainabilty is at the heart of how we run our factories, design our processes and support our supply chains. We are committed to 100% sustainable cocoa by 2020. In order to achieve this we are founding partner of the UTZ CERTIFIED Cocoa Program. Both Mars and UTZ CERTIFIED strive to contribute to a better future for cocoa workers and their families. Certification can make a difference because farmers receive the training and support they need to improve their productivity and thus improve the economic and social well-being of their families and communities."
Anita Boekholt, Corporate Affairs Manager NL

"Natra is firmly opposed to any system of production which does not take into account everybody's legitimate aspiration to a decent life. Not only the employment of children in hazardous jobs and every kind of forced labour should be avoided -the farmers have to be helped in their efforts to increase productivity and consistency in their cocoa crops for a better living.
UTZ CERTIFIED Code of Conduct promotes the good agricultural practices, the welfare both of the people and the communities, the soil preservation, and so many other things contributing to a decent life that Natra cannot but heartily adhere to it!"
Javier Almela, Chief Purchasing Officer

"The Cocoa Plan's vision is to help cocoa farmers run profitable farms, respect the environment, have a good quality of life and for their children to benefit from an education and see cocoa farming as a respectable profession. The Cocoa Plan has four main areas of activities - farmer training, plant expertise, improving the supply chain and better social conditions. UTZ CERTIFIED is a great partner in helping this happen on the ground."
Darrel High, Cocoa Sustainability Manager

"Nidar has been involved in the broad improvement programs in the cocoa sector for many years. Sustainable cocoa production is a necessity for future cocoa yields as well as improving the conditions for the farmers. Nidar is committed to improve the conditions for the farmers, and believes in the importance of sustainability. By the end of 2015 all chocolate from Nidar will be made with cocoa from UTZ CERTIFIED."
Inger Johanne Solhaug, CEO, Nidar AS

"Over 90 % of all cocoa beans originate from approx. 3 million small farmer families, whose whole existence relies on cocoa production. For this purpose KVB supports UTZ Certified initiative for a better future and sustainable growth in the cocoa industry"
Herman Hauertmann, Managing Director