The challenging market situation requires PRONATEC to take special measures. We are currently not able to procure sufficient Fairtrade cocoa with Voluntary Physical Traceability (VPT) to meet our customers’ demand. We have, however, been granted an exceptional authorisation from Fairtrade Max Havelaar which allows us and our customers to use cocoa beans with Fairtrade Mass Balance certification for the next ten months. The labelling on existing recipes may remain unchanged.

Oct 08, 2024

Crop failures in West Africa have led to a shortage of cocoa supply and have drawn the attention of many buyers to the Dominican Republic. Our procurement of Fairtrade cocoa with Voluntarily Physical Traceability (VPT) has therefore been limited and does not allow us to meet the required quantities. In order to meet our customers’ demand for semi-finished cocoa products with Fairtrade VPT, we have applied to Fairtrade Max Havelaar for an exceptional authorisation.

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Exceptional authorisation to meet market demand

Fairtrade Max Havelaar has granted us the exceptional authorisation to partially supplement our Fairtrade cocoa with Voluntary Physical Traceability by Fairtrade cocoa with Mass Balance as of September 2024. This allows us to use 2000 tonnes of cocoa bean equivalents with Mass Balance instead of VPT. The exceptional authorisation is valid from 15/09/2024 until 30/06/2025 for the entire product range including private labels of business customers. This includes the following products, in particular those originating from the Dominican Republic:

  • Cocoa mass/liquor

  • Cocoa butter

  • Cocoa powder

  • Cocoa nibs

  • and any chocolates and coatings produced from these semi-finished cocoa products, as well as any private label products

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Original packaging may still be used

The exceptional authorisation also applies to the use of the original packaging for the specified period. This means that printed packaging featuring the Fairtrade seal without the arrow may continue to be used. Claiming 100% traceable recipes is also still permitted during this period.

Affected customers will be informed directly. PRONATEC will switch back to Voluntarily Physical Traceability (VPT) by the end of the exceptional authorisation period (30 June 2025) at the latest.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your PRONATEC contact person.