FERRERO LAUNCHES NEW HAZELNUT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS, BUILDING ON 3-YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS

Ferrero has today released its Hazelnut Charter and Action Plan for 2024-26 as part of its aim to contribute to a hazelnut industry that creates value for all.

The new Hazelnut Charter and Action Plan outline continued activities to improve working and living conditions for agricultural workers and their families, and to promote supply chain traceability and regenerative agriculture. 

As part of Ferrero's multi-stakeholder approach to the elimination of child labour, the company also announced the extension of its partnerships with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for another three years, signed earlier this year.   

Hazelnuts are a key ingredient in many of Ferrero’s products, which is why the company is dedicated to creating an ethical, transparent, and sustainable hazelnut supply chain. Launched in 2021, Ferrero’s Hazelnut Charter set an industry-leading standard for supply chain practices, outlining clear commitments across three main pillars: Human rights and social practices; Environmental protection and sustainability; and Supplier transparency. 

Ferrero’s Annual Hazelnut Progress Report 2023, also released today, shows the headway the company has made in meeting the commitments laid out in its first Hazelnut Charter:

• over 90% hazelnut traceability back to farm level
• 100% of suppliers acknowledged Ferrero’s Supplier Code
• more than 21,000 hazelnut farmers reached with our Guidelines for Sustainable Hazelnut  Production
• nearly 18.000 children have been engaged through collective partnerships in the three years since Ferrero launched its Hazelnut Charter

“At Ferrero, we’re always pushing for better. With our initial Hazelnut Charter in 2021, we laid a strong foundation,” said Marco Botta, General Manager Ferrero Hazelnut Company. 

“Today, we launch our new Hazelnut Charter building on the strong achievements we have made over the last three years. As a company, we will endeavour to contribute to realising an end-to-end hazelnut supply chain which is traceable, sustainable, and provides a fair and caring environment for all involved.”

Strong progress

Since launching the Hazelnut Charter, Ferrero has reported annually on the progress made against these commitments with its Hazelnut Progress Report. The latest report demonstrates considerable progress against each of the key pillars:

Human Rights and social practices

• 1,163 farms have been audited against the Ferrero Farming Production Standard in the three years since Ferrero launched its Hazelnut Charter
• Nearly 18,000 children have been engaged through collective partnerships in the last three years

Environmental protection and sustainability

• Four Farm Management Plans deployed at Ferrero’s Agrifarms with integration of regenerative agriculture principles
• Over 21,000 farmers have been reached worldwide with our Guidelines for Sustainable Hazelnut Production

Supplier transparency

• Over 90% of Ferrero’s total sourced hazelnuts can be traced all the way back to farms
• 100% of suppliers have acknowledged Ferrero’s Supplier Code

New Roadmap for 2024-26

Across its three pillars, Ferrero’s Hazelnut Charter and Action Plan outline the steps the company is taking to meet its commitments and the partners the company will be working with. 

The Ferrero Hazelnut Charter and Action Plan 2024-2026 commit to: 

• Human Rights and Social Practices: The key role of the ILO partnership

[MB16] [SP17] [SS18] Ferrero strongly commits to further improving fair and safe working conditions across its hazelnut supply chain by renewing its strategic partnership with the ILO. The programme includes training of suppliers, farmers, and labour intermediaries in responsible recruitment, fair wages and fair working hours. The new roadmap also focuses on improving health and safety, as well as housing.

• Environmental Protection: Implementing the principles of regenerative agriculture

The new action plan promotes principles of regenerative agriculture and the sharing of these best practices with farmers in Ferrero’s supply chain.

• Supplier Transparency:  Building on the high level of traceability 

Ferrero will build on existing traceability levels, with currently over 90% of the hazelnuts traceable back to farm level. Ferrero will also publish the Ferrero Farming Values Production Standard and Guidelines on the Ferrero Hazelnut Company website.

ENDS

Read Ferrero’s 2023 Hazelnut Progress Report here 

Read the new Hazelnut Charter 2024-2026 in full here.

Read Ferrero’s Hazelnut Action Plan 2024-2026 here