2025 Cocoa Barometer Launch
The Cocoa Barometer is the leading civil society report tracking sustainability in the cocoa sector. Published every three years, it provides an independent assessment of progress and persistent challenges, from living income and farmer representation to supply chain transparency, climate pressures, and corporate accountability.
Launch by the VOICE Network in partnership with Fern, the 2025 Cocoa Barometer provides fresh insights into the state of the industry, highlighting progress and the pressing challenges that remain for farmers, communities, and the environment. As the cocoa sector faces a pivotal moment with shifting global regulations, climate pressures, and ongoing human rights concerns, the Barometer offers a roadmap for change – grounded in evidence and the voices of those most affected.
- 08 October 2025
- 14:00-17:00 CEST
Programme
Welcome by Pierre-Jean Sol Brasier, Forest Governance Campaigner, Fern
Launch of the 2025 Cocoa Barometer
Presentation by Antonie Fountain (VOICE Network) & Friedel Huetz-Adams (Südwind), authors of the 2025 Cocoa Barometer: Overview of 25 years of progress, and the urgency of current challenges in the cocoa sector, as well as a short reflection on 15 years of VOICE.
Two interventions of southern partners on the progress we’ve made as a sector and the challenges still facing us.
- Obed Owusu-Addai, Founder of EcoCare (Ghana)
- Chantal N'Goran, Coopérative MIEN-RASSOU (Côte d’Ivoire)
Panel 1: Farmers, Civil Society & Industry: What Is the Future of Cocoa?
As the cocoa sector faces accelerating economic, environmental, and political shifts, this panel will discuss the strategic transformations required to improve farmer livelihoods. Speakers will also share their views on how businesses, governments and civil society should engage.
- Freddy Cabello, Head of Unocace Farmers Cooperative (Equador)
- Regis Meritan, DG INTPA, European Commission (Europe)
- Leticia Yankey, Cocoa Farmer and Chocolate Maker (Ghana)
- Moderator: Suzan Yemidi, Head of Strategic Partnerships, VOICE Network (Ghana)
Panel 2: The Role of Strong EU Regulation in Achieving Sustainability
This conversation will examine the critical role of the European Union in making the cocoa sector sustainable. Panelists will discuss the importance of upholding key EU regulations as well as how the EU could better support farmers and producing countries.
- Evelyn Bahn, Business and Human Rights Officer, Sustainable Cocoa, INKOTA
- Francesco Tramontin, VP Global Public Affairs, Ferrero (Italy)
- Bakary Traoré, Founder & Director, IDEF (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Moderator: Hannah Mowat, Campaigns Coordinator, Fern (France)
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the VOICE Network is a coalition of more than 30 NGOs and trade unions from producing and consuming countries. Their mission is to achieve a sustainable cocoa sector.
Categories: Events, EU Regulation on deforestation-free products
