Rainforest Alliance’s annual report charts key progress, yet highlights major cocoa challenges – Confectionery Production

Rainforest Alliance 2024 Annual Progress Report: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Regenerative Agriculture and Community Support

Introduction

The Rainforest Alliance has published its 2024 Annual Progress Report, detailing its ongoing certification efforts that promote regenerative agriculture and support rural communities globally, with a particular focus on the cocoa sector. The organization collaborates with approximately eight million farmers across various market segments, addressing significant global challenges such as deforestation, climate change, and geopolitical instability.

Global Challenges and Cocoa Sector Insights

Despite increased demand for certified cocoa in 2024 compared to the previous year, international volatility led to a reduction in the volume of cocoa produced under Rainforest Alliance certification standards. Regional variations were observed:

• Africa and Pacific: Declines in certified cocoa production, though sales increased.
• Latin America: Production increased, but sales declined.

These fluctuations are attributed to factors including certification delays, market instability, and climate crisis impacts at the farm level. West African countries such as Ghana and Ivory Coast have been particularly affected by adverse weather and crop diseases like the swollen shoot virus.

Certified Cocoa Production Data

1. Ivory Coast: 1.496 million tonnes of certified cocoa produced in 2023.
2. Ghana: 187,000 tonnes of certified cocoa produced under Rainforest Alliance standards.

Certification Standards and Innovations

In response to farmer and company feedback, the Rainforest Alliance has revised its certification requirements, resulting in Version 1.4 of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard, effective October 2025. Key improvements include:

• Streamlined certification processes
• More focused inspections and audits
• Enhanced data quality for greater certification effectiveness

Additionally, specialized certification solutions and seals have been developed for three critical impact areas:

• Regenerative agriculture
• Climate action
• Livelihoods improvement

These initiatives aim to facilitate farmer access to new markets and foster partnerships with companies committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

Scope and Impact

The Rainforest Alliance supports around eight million farmers and workers managing over six million hectares of certified farmland across 62 countries. The organization’s work aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – supporting smallholder farmers and rural communities.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – advancing climate resilience and adaptation.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – combating deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Leadership Perspective

Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance, acknowledged the progress made but emphasized ongoing challenges such as rapid tropical forest loss and accelerating climate change. He highlighted the urgent need to transition to sustainable agricultural models that restore ecosystems and support communities, particularly the three million cocoa farmers and workers across 23 countries managing 4.6 million hectares.

Transition to Regenerative Practices

The 2024 report underscores the organization’s shift from traditional sustainability to regenerative agriculture, which actively restores ecosystems, builds climate resilience, and empowers communities. This transformation is farmer-driven, leveraging their knowledge and connection to the land as catalysts for change.

Addressing Global Challenges through SDGs

Approximately 500 million people live in farming areas adjacent to tropical forests, with 80% experiencing poverty. These forests are crucial for carbon storage, climate regulation, freshwater systems, and biodiversity. The Rainforest Alliance’s work supports the following SDGs:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – protecting freshwater ecosystems.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – promoting sustainable supply chains.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – fostering collaboration among farmers, companies, and governments.

Key Progress Areas

1. Global Reach: Rainforest Alliance Certified products are available in 155 countries, producing enough certified coffee and cocoa for 333 million cups of coffee and 96 million chocolate bars daily.
2. Support for Smallholder Farmers: 99% of certified farms are smallholders (less than 10 hectares), with over 3.1 million supported farmers averaging 2.31 hectares each.
3. Landscape and Community Programs: 83 active programs covering over 25 million hectares across five critical regions, benefiting 1.3 million people and generating USD $34 million in sales revenue for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
4. Investment: Since 2003, USD $394 million invested in programs supporting sustainable farming and forestry.
5. Compliance and Due Diligence: Leadership in preparing farmers and companies for evolving regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), including the first EUDR-ready coffee shipment in May 2024.
6. Environmental Practices: 14% increase in farms tracking pest populations since 2021, reducing pesticide reliance; significant tree planting and climate adaptation investments in Ghana’s Sui River landscape.
7. Community Empowerment: Over 60% of expert staff work directly in key landscapes; indigenous groups in Peru secured $1 million in government incentives to reduce deforestation; women’s cooperatives in Guatemala earned $347,900 while addressing childhood malnutrition.

Conclusion

The Rainforest Alliance’s 2024 Annual Progress Report highlights its vital role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through regenerative agriculture, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship. The organization remains committed to creating a future where people and nature thrive in harmony.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights support for smallholder farmers, many of whom live in poverty, aiming to improve their livelihoods.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Focus on sustainable agriculture and supporting rural communities to ensure food security and improved nutrition.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Certification standards promote sustainable production practices in agriculture, including cocoa and coffee.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – Emphasis on climate resilience, adaptation, and reducing environmental impact through regenerative agriculture.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land – Addressing deforestation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem restoration in tropical forest areas.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Supporting rural livelihoods, fair income, and economic opportunities for farmers and workers.
7. SDG 5: Gender Equality – Mention of women’s cooperatives earning income and tackling malnutrition.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions for vulnerable populations, including smallholder farmers.
2. SDG 2 – Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 12 – Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13 – Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
5. SDG 15 – Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of forests and halt deforestation.
6. SDG 8 – Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and decent job creation.
7. SDG 5 – Target 5.a: Enhance the use of enabling technology to promote the empowerment of women.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Volume of certified cocoa produced (e.g., 1.496 million tonnes in Ivory Coast, 187,000 tonnes in Ghana) – measuring sustainable production under certification.
• Number of farmers supported (around eight million farmers globally, with 3.1 million smallholder farmers) – indicating outreach and impact on livelihoods.
• Hectares of certified farmland (over six million hectares) and landscape programs covering 25 million hectares – measuring land under sustainable management.
• Percentage of farms tracking pest populations (14% increase since 2021) – indicating adoption of sustainable pest management.
• Number of tree seedlings planted and trees registered (e.g., 583,000 seedlings planted in Ghana) – measuring reforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts.
• Economic indicators such as sales revenue generated by supported businesses (USD$34 million) and income earned by women’s cooperatives ($347,900) – reflecting economic growth and empowerment.
• Compliance with regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – indicating progress in due diligence and responsible sourcing.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: confectioneryproduction.com