Mars, Sucden to Cut Emissions in Latin America

Mars, Incorporated and cocoa trader Sucden (General Cocoa) have launched a five-year collaboration aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthening climate resilience across cocoa farms in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, translating corporate climate targets into measurable, farm-level change.

Running from 2025 to 2029, the initiative will focus on advancing low-carbon, climate-resilient cocoa production across participating farms, prioritizing science-based emissions reductions, improved productivity and farmer-centered approaches. The program is expected to reach hundreds of farmers across priority regions, covering 5,250ha under improved agroforestry and climate-smart agricultural practices.

The collaboration targets one of the most emissions-intensive segments of Mars’ value chain. Raw ingredients account for approximately 65% of the total GHG emissions from the company’s snacking portfolio, placing agricultural supply chains at the center of its decarbonization strategy.

Under the program, participating farmers will be encouraged to adopt practices including improved planting materials, low-carbon fertilizers, aerobic composting and agroforestry systems. These measures are designed to enhance soil health, increase yields and reduce emissions intensity per tonne of cocoa produced, while improving long-term supply chain resilience.

“The world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today, and we can only achieve our sustainability ambitions by working with like-minded value-chain partners. That is why Mars is working with suppliers to help build a deforestation and conversion-free cocoa supply chain,” said Pedro Amaral, Associate Director and Head of Cocoa Climate Sustainability, Mars. 

The initiative aligns with Mars’ Net Zero Roadmap, which commits the company to cutting GHG emissions across its full value chain by 50% and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, measured against a 2015 baseline. Supplier collaborations are a core pillar of this strategy, addressing emissions at their source while mitigating risks linked to climate volatility, deforestation and declining yields.

Measurement and verification are central to the program’s design. Sucden’s technical partners will support implementation and monitoring using advanced modeling tools and field-based assessments to quantify emissions reductions and assess long-term environmental impacts. The data-driven approach responds to growing scrutiny from investors, regulators and civil society over the credibility of corporate climate claims, particularly in agricultural supply chains.

“Addressing the climate challenges facing cocoa today demands coordinated action and specialized capabilities. Sucden brings deep on-the-ground experience in cocoa production systems, farmer engagement and sustainability program delivery, capabilities that are essential to implementing complex, multi-year climate initiatives,” said Charlotte Demuijnck, Global Cocoa Program Manager, Sucden. 

She added: “Through our strategic partnership with Mars, we aim to deliver robust, science-based interventions that support farmers, reduce emissions and strengthen the long-term resilience of the cocoa supply chain in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.”

If the agroforestry and low-carbon practices prove effective and scalable, Mars has indicated they could be expanded across its wider cocoa supply chain. For an industry facing mounting pressure from climate impacts, deforestation regulation and investor expectations, the collaboration offers a case study in how Scope 3 emissions strategies are being operationalized in high-risk agricultural systems through long-term supplier partnerships.

What Does the Global Cocoa Industry Panorama Look Like?

Global cocoa production remains highly concentrated in West Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana supplying about 60–65% of the world’s cocoa. However, in recent years, production in the region has been disrupted by extreme weather linked to climate change, the spread of crop diseases such as swollen shoot virus, aging trees, and structural challenges faced by smallholder farmers. These factors have led to consecutive supply deficits, tightening global availability and driving cocoa prices to multi-year highs.

In this context, the global industry has increasingly looked to Latin America as a diversification alternative. Countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, Peru and the Dominican Republic have expanded production, supported by higher yields, improved genetics and agroforestry systems. Particularly Ecuador has emerged as the world’s largest cocoa producer in Latin America, accounting for roughly 8–9% of global output, and industry projections suggest the country could further increase its share as multinational buyers seek more resilient and traceable supply chains.

This shift reflects a broader structural adjustment in the cocoa market. With global demand remaining steady and climate risks intensifying in traditional origins, chocolate manufacturers and traders are investing in climate-smart agriculture, low-carbon production and long-term supplier partnerships. These strategies aim to stabilize supply, reduce exposure to climate volatility and support farmer livelihoods, while positioning Latin America as a growing pillar of the global cocoa supply.