Impact Trade: What It Means, and Why It Matters

At COCO, we believe chocolate should do more than taste good - it should do good, too.

That’s where Impact Trade comes in. It’s our way of making sure that every bar of COCO chocolate helps create a more ethical, sustainable, and inclusive chocolate industry. But what exactly is Impact Trade, and how is it different from traditional Fairtrade? Let’s break it down.

Most Chocolate Travels a Long Way; Ours Starts at the Source

Here’s how chocolate usually works: cocoa beans are grown in countries like Colombia or Ghana, then shipped across the world to factories in Europe or the U.S. to be turned into chocolate. This means the countries growing the cocoa don’t get to benefit from the more skilled, better-paid part of the process, making the actual chocolate.

Impact Trade flips that script.

We start making our chocolate at origin, in Colombia. That means rather than just exporting raw beans, we partner with Colombian experts to craft couverture (a semi-finished chocolate), adding value where the cocoa grows.

This creates jobs, builds skills, and helps grow local economies. And because the chocolate doesn’t travel as far or as often, it also reduces the carbon footprint of every bar we make.

It’s About Equity, Not Just Fairness

Fairtrade is a great step - it ensures farmers are paid a minimum price and work under ethical conditions. But Impact Trade goes further. It’s about rebalancing the system, so that cocoa-producing countries keep more of the profit and power in the chocolate supply chain.

We’re not just buying beans. We’re investing in people, infrastructure, and long-term relationships with our partners in Colombia. That’s what makes it “impactful.”

Why It Tastes Better, Too

When chocolate is crafted closer to where the cocoa is grown, something amazing happens: the flavours are richer, fresher, more expressive of the region. It’s a win for the planet, the people who make it, and the ones who eat it: you.

A Better Bar for Everyone

So next time you unwrap a COCO bar, know this: you’re not just tasting bold, creative flavours and eye-catching design. You’re part of a different kind of trade. One that’s built on equity, creativity, and impact.