The challenging market situation requires PRONATEC to take special measures. We are in exceptional cases 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 Fairtrade cocoa with Mass Balance certification in these rare cases. 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, in exceptional cases, 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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Kakaofrüchte Madagaskar

Exceptional authorisation to meet market demand

Thanks to an exceptional authorisation from Fairtrade Max Havelaar, Fairtrade cocoa with Voluntary Physical Traceability (VPT) can be supplemented or replaced by Fairtrade cocoa with Massbalance in rare cases until summer 2025. This may affect our entire cocoa product range including private labels of business customers.

It 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

Organic cocoa - we offer various certifications

Original packaging may still be used

The exceptional authorisation also applies to the use of the original packaging. 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.

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

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