Cadbury Announcement

CADBURY DAIRY MILK® TO GO FAIRTRADE IN 2010

Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand has revealed a historic plan for Australia and New Zealand’s favourite chocolate Cadbury Dairy Milk® to achieve Fairtrade Certification by Easter 2010.

For cocoa producers in Ghana this is exciting and life changing news as Fairtrade Certification of Cadbury Dairy Milk® will dramatically increase sales of Fairtrade Certified cocoa providing them with the opportunity to grow their businesses and provide a better future for their families and communities. The move will also open up new opportunities for cocoa farmers in other parts of the world, giving even more producers the chance to change their lives and become part of the Fairtrade system.

For the Fairtrade movement in Australia and New Zealand this is a landmark announcement. It is anticipated that sales of Fairtrade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk® chocolate will triple the volume of Fairtrade Certified product currently sold across Australia and New Zealand. Given the uniqueness of the Fairtrade system, farmers will benefit from a guaranteed minimum price (or higher) for their cocoa and their communities are expected to benefit from Fairtrade premiums of over AU$500,000 in the first twelve months from ANZ sales of Cadbury Dairy Milk®.

The move is part of Cadbury’s global commitment to Fairtrade with Cadbury Australia and New Zealand making their announcement of intent at the same time as Cadbury Canada and Cadbury Japan whilst chocolate lovers in the UK and Ireland can already enjoy Fairtrade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk®.

This combined commitment to Fairtrade from Cadbury will quadruple the amount of Fairtrade Certified cocoa coming out of Ghana which is great news for farmers, their families and communities. Mr. P. K. Tekper, the Vice-President of Kuapa Kokoo, a Fairtrade Certified cooperative in Ghana said:

“We are very happy that Cadbury’s have made this further commitment (in Australia and New Zealand). The premium that we have already received from Cadbury has made a real difference to our lives. Our plans for the future are to build fourteen community projects next year, invest in the health care of our farmers and to put in place a ‘Kuapa Kokoo Extension Services’ to farmers to ensure sustainability of cocoa in the world market.”

Fairtrade Executive Director Steve Knapp said Cadbury’s commitment to using Fairtrade Certified cocoa was a landmark step from a local, market-leading chocolate manufacturer.

“Cadbury’s commitment to Fairtrade is life-changing news for cocoa farmers who will be able to sell more of their cocoa as Fairtrade, helping to improve living standards and create a better future for their families and communities,” Mr Knapp said.

“Fairtrade Certification enables chocolate lovers who buy Cadbury Dairy Milk® to make a real difference for cocoa farmers with every purchase.

“This announcement sets a new standard for the mainstream chocolate industry in Australia and New Zealand and will open up new Fairtrade opportunities for cocoa farmers in our corner of the world.” he said.

Managing Director for Cadbury Australia & New Zealand Mark Callaghan said Cadbury’s commitment to use Fairtrade Certified cocoa made it the first major chocolate manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand to make the change.

“Cadbury is incredibly proud to bring Fairtrade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk® to Australian and New Zealand consumers by ensuring Fairtrade Certified cocoa is a key ingredient in our signature block chocolate,” Mr Callaghan said.

“I’m also incredibly proud that by making this change, we are effectively making Fairtrade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk® chocolate available to every consumer, in every part of Australia and New Zealand at no extra cost. It’s Cadbury Dairy Milk® with the same taste, same price, but extra ethics” he said.

Fairtrade Certification of Cadbury Dairy Milk® means Fairtrade and its international partner certification body, FLO-Cert, will independently monitor and audit the supply chain to ensure it meets internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.

Cadbury intends for Fairtrade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk® products to be available, on shelf, for Easter 2010.