NGO Mighty Earth Investigation on Illegal Cocoa Sourcing

An investigation by the NGO Mighty Earth revealed that a substantial portion of cocoa used in chocolate products from major companies, including Nestlé, was sourced illegally from national parks and protected areas in Ivory Coast and Ghana. These two countries are recognized as the largest cocoa producers globally. The findings indicated that in several national parks, over 90% of the land had been converted for cocoa cultivation. This alarming trend has led to a drastic reduction in forest cover, with less than four percent of Ivory Coast remaining densely forested. The unchecked sourcing practices of chocolate companies have significantly contributed to deforestation in Ghana as well. The environmental impact has been severe, with the habitat of chimpanzees shrinking to a few isolated areas and the elephant population in Ivory Coast plummeting from several hundred thousand to an estimated 200 to 400 individuals. This situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable sourcing practices in the cocoa industry to protect biodiversity and preserve critical ecosystems.