Child Labour in Chocolate: The Industry’s Dark Secret
Chocolate Has a Hidden Cost, And It’s Not Just Financial
For many, chocolate symbolises celebration, luxury, or comfort. But behind the sweetness of the global chocolate industry lies a bitter truth: millions of children are still exploited in its supply chain, particularly in West Africa, where the majority of the world’s cacao is grown.
This post explores the uncomfortable realities of child labour in chocolate, why the problem persists despite decades of promises, and how brands like Ochre are actively doing things differently.
The Scale of the Problem
According to a 2020 report funded by the US Department of Labor, over 1.5 million children were estimated to be working in cocoa production in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire alone, two countries that supply nearly 60–70% of the world’s cacao.
These children often:
Work with machetes or apply chemicals
Carry heavy loads over long distances
Miss school due to farm obligations
Face physical harm, malnutrition, and exploitation
Despite major chocolate companies pledging to eradicate these practices, many have missed their deadlines and shifted accountability downstream.
Why Does It Persist?
The persistence of child labour is rooted in deeper systemic issues:
Poverty: Farmers often earn less than $1 a day, forcing families to rely on child labour
Lack of traceability: Most large chocolate companies cannot track where their cacao truly comes from
Complex supply chains: Middlemen, brokers, and unregulated co-ops obscure sourcing
Weak enforcement: Voluntary certification schemes (like Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance) have limited reach and reliability
Even bars labelled “ethical” may still contain cacao harvested under exploitative conditions if traceability is not airtight.
How Ochre Brands Does Things Differently
We believe ethical chocolate starts with direct relationships, not distant promises.
At Ochre Brands:
We source directly from Peruvian cooperatives, many of which help sustain Amazonian preservation initiatives
Our cacao is grown by smallholder farmers who are paid well above market price
We focus on regions where child labour is not systemic
Every batch of cacao we buy is fully traceable from farm to fermentation centre
This model allows us to support not just flavour integrity, but human dignity.
Beyond Certifications: What Real Ethical Chocolate Looks Like
At Ochre Brands, ethical chocolate goes beyond labels and certifications. We prioritise direct trade with vetted Peruvian cooperatives, maintain full traceability from farm to fermentation, and pay stable, above-market prices that empower farming communities. Our commitment to short, transparent supply chains ensures that every bar of couverture we produce supports both flavour excellence and human dignity.
We're not perfect, but our model is proof that better is possible.
How Businesses Can Help
If you’re sourcing couverture or cacao-based ingredients, ask your supplier:
Can you trace the cacao to the farming community?
Are child labour and exploitative practices actively monitored?
Do you pay premiums or engage in direct trade?
As a chef, brand owner, or formulator, your sourcing choices have ripple effects. Choosing traceable, ethical couverture sends a clear message: flavour should never come at the cost of a child’s freedom.
Final Word: Sweetness Shouldn’t Be Stained
Chocolate should be a celebration, not a system of exploitation. At Ochre Brands, we’re committed to a model that prioritises quality, traceability, and humanity.
Learn more about our origins or connect with us about B2B couverture partnerships.
