Valio Group
Valio
Valio Group
Global

Valio’s raw material policy on the use of cocoa

Cocoa’s characteristics and challenges

Cocoa is harvested from the seeds of the cocoa tree and is a raw material used to make chocolate, among other things. Cocoa grows and is farmed around the world in tropical areas near the equator, but the majority of cocoa is produced on small, family plantations in West Africa. The production of cocoa is related to several social responsibility challenges, such as poverty, child labour, and land ownership issues. Moreover, cocoa production may have negative environmental impacts, depending on how it is cultivated.

Cocoa is a unique plant raw material that brings delicious chocolate and cocoa flavour to products.

Valio’s policy on the use of cocoa

In line with Valio’s policy, we use only certified cocoa* in our products.

*The policy applies only to raw materials that contain cocoa. Note: it is possible that agents or additives containing small amounts of cocoa derivatives that are not specified in the raw material data may be used.

Valio’s use of cocoa

Situation as of 03/2021 Target/progress (updated on 27.5.2021)
Cocoa is used in several of Valio’s products for consumer and B2B customers, as well as in Valio’s contract manufactured products. The main raw material contained in these products is typically milk, so the amount of cocoa used per product is small.

Valio’s production plants in Finland use several cocoa raw materials to produce cocoa-flavoured drinks, smoothies, puddings, and ice creams. The cocoa raw materials are highly processed for the specific needs of the products, so their supply chain is long.

->Valio’s production plants in Estonia and Russia use cocoa raw material to flavour quark, pudding, spreads, and processed cheese.

All the raw material in use is sourced from approved suppliers, but the raw material is not certified.		 Convert to the use of certified cocoa raw materials* and acquire supply chain certifications for Valio’s production plants.

Progress:
- The raw materials to be converted have been prioritised based on the products to be manufactured from them and the production plants using them.
- The process to convert the cocoa raw material has been started for two customer products.

The chart is updated once a year.

*For each raw material, a corresponding, existing certified raw material must be found, and converting the raw material requires a product-specific raw material conversion project in which the suitability of the new raw material for the product is verified, and the raw material conversion is implemented in a controlled manner.