Statement on Green & Black's Purchase By Cadbury Schweppes

The Fairtrade Foundation has been informed by Green & Black’s that Cadbury Schweppes, which acquired a minority 5% stake in the company in 2002, has acquired the remainder of the Green & Black’s business.

The Fairtrade Foundation has been assured by Green & Black’s that Cadbury Schweppes will retain the Green & Black’s brand - with its commitment to the Fairtrade products brought out under the brand and the Fairtrade farmers involved in producing the cocoa.

This includes commitment to the Maya Gold product and the Maya Indian community in Belize, Central America, which produces cocoa for this chocolate. Maya Gold chocolate, with its brown and orange packaging, is the only Green & Black’s chocolate bar which carries the FAIRTRADE Mark. Green & Black’s Organic Cocoa, together with other Maya Gold products including Maya Gold Drinking Chocolate, also carries the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Maya Gold was the first product awarded the FAIRTRADE Mark in 1994 and its development was a major achievement for both Green & Black’s and the Fairtrade Foundation. It has proved one of Green & Black’s most successful products and one of the most popular Fairtrade products.

The Toledo Cacao Growers’ Association (TCGA), the 600 strong cooperative in Belize which supplies the cocoa for Maya Gold, supplies exclusively to Green & Black’s. The UK company has also supported the Mayan farmers during difficult times - in 2001 Hurricane Iris ripped out many cocoa trees and replanting was needed. It has also negotiated a large grant from the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) to help the TCGA become a viable, sustainable organisation. The three-year programme which started in September 2003 is administered through the DFID Business Linkages Challenge Fund. Both DFID and the British High Commissioner in Belize have reported positively and enthusiastically on the implementation of the programme.

The Fairtrade Foundation will continue to liaise directly with the existing board and management team of Green & Black’s which they have confirmed will be run as a standalone business.

In 2004 Fairtrade sales in the UK increased by 51% to more than £140 million. This figure includes sales of Fairtrade chocolate which rose by an estimated 48% and cocoa products by an estimated 63%.

For more information contact the Fairtrade Foundation on 020 7405 5942, mobile 07770 957 451.