Mars, ofi launch five-year cocoa sustainability partnership in Ecuador to scale regenerative agriculture
Mars and ofi expand cocoa sustainability efforts in Ecuador, supporting farmers with regenerative practices to boost resilience, cut emissions and secure long-term cocoa supply chains.
ECUADOR – Mars, Incorporated and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have announced a five-year strategic collaboration (2025–2029) aimed at advancing climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices in cocoa production in Ecuador.
The initiative builds on more than 15 years of joint sustainable cocoa sourcing globally and a decade of collaboration in Ecuador. It aligns with both companies’ 2050 net-zero ambitions, which are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
In its initial phase, the program will support more than 960 farmers across key cocoa-growing regions, including El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santo Domingo.
The farmers will implement regenerative practices across over 9,000 hectares of farmland, transitioning from full-sun monoculture systems to multistrata agroforestry.
These agroforestry systems are designed to mimic natural forest ecosystems, helping to improve cocoa yields, support biodiversity such as pollinators and microorganisms, and create natural protection against pests and diseases.
Additional interventions include the use of low-carbon fertilisers, improved crop residue management and biochar applications.
The companies estimate that approximately 4,800 people in surrounding cocoa-growing communities will benefit from the program through improved resilience and productivity.
Benjamin Guilbert, Global Vice President, Cocoa at Mars, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to sustainability.
“Building on our long-standing collaboration in cocoa sourcing, this effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale,” he said.
He added, “We value ofi’s ongoing commitment to helping Mars realise our vision of a more modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem that can support farmers and the environment.”
Andrew Brooks, Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi, said the initiative aims to make regenerative practices more accessible.
“Together with Mars, we’re scaling up regenerative practices like agroforestry and biochar in Ecuador aimed at cutting greenhouse-gas emissions and helping to secure the future supply of cocoa,” he said.
“By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods,” Brooks added.
Pedro Amaral, Associate Director and Head of Cocoa Climate Sustainability at Mars, emphasised the importance of collaboration. “True progress on climate requires shared ambition and mutually beneficial value,” he said.
“Having Net Zero ambitions validated by SBTi enables a bold framework for Mars and ofi to invest together in the long term in solutions that are good for cocoa farmers, good for the environment, and good for the future of our supply chain.”
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