HALBA takes responsibility along the entire value chain. When sourcing raw materials, we focus on transparent supply chains, fair and lasting partnerships, careful use of natural resources and efficient and cost-conscious procurement. Our goal is to continuously improve social and environmental conditions.
Positive changes in value creation are only possible if HALBA knows the farmers and downstream stakeholders. To ensure transparency along the entire value chain, HALBA relies on direct and traceable supply chains. We establish direct value chains wherever possible, help suppliers establish traceability systems and aim for long-term partnerships. This enables us to take responsibility and actively improve the environmental and social conditions in the countries from which we source our raw materials.
Example cocoa beans:
HALBA sources 83 % of its cocoa beans directly from cooperatives in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Honduras. In Ghana, too, there is a direct supply chain to the cooperative, with an officially licensed importer as an intermediary and the prices set by the state.
Many small farmers are facing increasing economic pressure. Price fluctuations, unfair trading conditions and climate challenges make it difficult to calculate a stable income. Together with long-standing partners, HALBA is therefore committed to fair trade and socially acceptable production conditions.
The Coop «Sustainable Procurement» guidelines establish binding social and environmental requirements for all suppliers. HALBA sticks to these guidelines and specifies their implementation in its Procurement Policy.
We work directly with cocoa cooperatives and their small farmers, bypass intermediaries whenever possible and pay fair prices that enable a stable income. The goal is to promote living incomes and to close income gaps wherever feasible (see «Living Income and Wage» Policy and Action Plan).
Recognised sustainability standards are important mechanisms for reducing risks. Currently, 100 % of the cocoa beans are Fairtrade certified, while 76 % of the critical raw materials are certified according to recognised sustainability standards. This figure is set to rise to at least 80 % by 2026.
In addition to sustainability standards, we specifically address risks that have been identified through our raw material risk analysis, focusing on the 18 critical raw materials. For production in high-risk countries, we require the implementation of the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct or an equivalent standard (see Coop «Sustainable Procurement» guidelines). The protection of children, as well as the handling of child labour and forced labour, is regulated in the HALBA Policy and Action Plan for the Protection of Children.
We fulfil our human rights and environmental due diligence obligations in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles and align our implementation with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. You can read more about this in the HALBA «Due Diligence» Policy and Action Plan.
HALBA actively advocates for the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the responsible use of natural resources in all areas of procurement, including efficient use of energy and water, minimising waste, and protecting biodiversity. We promote sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming and dynamic agroforestry systems that improve soil quality and strengthen ecosystems over the long term (see HALBA «Agroforestry» Policy and Action Plan).
There is also a focus is on reducing packaging waste. HALBA focuses on environmentally friendly packaging solutions and aims to significantly reduce material consumption and waste (see Packaging Policy). We also focus on reducing CO₂ emissions in our logistics. We opt for transport by sea and rail rather than by road wherever possible, as emissions are significantly lower on these routes.
The way we source our raw materials and who we source them from makes all the difference – when it comes to the people on the ground, our environment and the quality we want to offer our customers.
