Mars, ofi Expand Net Zero Cocoa Push In Ecuador With Regenerative Farming Investment

Mars and ofi launch a five-year program across Ecuador targeting emissions cuts, yield gains, and farmer resilience in cocoa supply chains
960+ farmers to transition to agroforestry across 9,000 hectares, advancing Scope 3 decarbonization aligned with SBTi targets
Initiative integrates finance, supply chain governance, and climate-smart agriculture to secure long-term cocoa supply

Mars, Incorporated and Olam Food Ingredients have launched a five-year collaboration in Ecuador to scale regenerative agriculture in cocoa production, positioning the country as a test case for low-carbon commodity supply chains.

The program, running from 2025 to 2029, targets emissions reductions while improving productivity and farmer livelihoods. It sits within both companies’ net zero commitments for 2050, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

The effort reflects growing pressure on multinational food companies to decarbonize Scope 3 emissions, particularly in agriculture, where climate risk, land use, and supply security intersect.

Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Across Cocoa Regions

The first phase focuses on more than 960 farmers across key cocoa-producing regions including El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, and Santo Domingo. Together, they will transition over 9,000 hectares of farmland to regenerative systems.

At the center of the shift is agroforestry. Farmers are moving away from full-sun monoculture toward multistrata systems that mimic forest ecosystems. These systems are designed to improve yields, restore biodiversity, and create natural resilience against pests and disease.

Additional interventions include low-carbon fertilizers, improved crop residue management, and biochar applications. The combined approach targets multiple outcomes: lower greenhouse gas emissions, increased carbon sequestration, and stronger soil health.

The program is expected to benefit approximately 4,800 people across surrounding cocoa-growing communities, extending impact beyond farm-level productivity into broader rural economic resilience.

Corporate Collaboration Drives Supply Chain Decarbonization

The partnership builds on more than 15 years of joint cocoa sourcing globally and a decade of collaboration in Ecuador. Both companies are now aligning procurement, sustainability investment, and climate strategy under a shared framework.

Benjamin Guilbert, Global Vice President, Cocoa at Mars, said: “Building on our long-standing collaboration in cocoa sourcing, this effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale. We value ofi’s ongoing commitment to helping Mars realize our vision of a more modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa ecosystem that can support farmers and the environment.”

Andrew Brooks, Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi, added: “Together with Mars, we’re scaling up regenerative practices like agroforestry and biochar in Ecuador aimed at cutting greenhouse-gas emissions and helping to secure the future supply of cocoa. By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods.

Our latest climate action collaboration with Mars is sparked by our shared, science-based net-zero ambitions to create change for a stronger food system so we can continue to enjoy the chocolate products we all love. Working jointly in Ecuador for 10 years, we’re developing local insights to help accelerate positive impact for the people and landscapes vital for cocoa.”

Andrew Brooks, Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi

Financing Climate Action Through Farmer-Centered Models

The initiative reflects a broader shift in how climate strategies are financed across agricultural supply chains. Rather than relying solely on carbon markets or offsets, Mars and ofi are co-investing directly in farmer adoption of climate-smart practices.

Pedro Amaral, Associate Director, Head of Cocoa Climate Sustainability at Mars, said: “True progress on climate requires shared ambition and mutually beneficial value. Having Net Zero targets validated by SBTi enables a bold framework for Mars and ofi to invest together in the long term in solutions that are good for cocoa farmers, good for the environment, and good for the future of our supply chain.”

This model integrates governance, finance, and operations. Companies set science-based targets, align procurement incentives, and fund on-the-ground changes that reduce emissions while stabilizing supply.

What This Means For Executives And Investors

For C-suite leaders and investors, the collaboration highlights a maturing phase in corporate climate strategy. The focus is shifting from commitments to execution, particularly in high-risk agricultural sectors.

Three implications stand out. First, supply chain decarbonization is becoming inseparable from supply security. Climate volatility and declining soil health are direct business risks for commodities like cocoa.

Second, partnerships are now essential. No single company controls enough of the value chain to deliver measurable emissions reductions alone.

Third, measurable impact is increasingly tied to credibility. Alignment with SBTi frameworks and transparent reporting will shape investor confidence and regulatory positioning.

As global food systems face rising scrutiny, Ecuador’s cocoa sector is becoming a proving ground for how multinational companies translate net zero targets into operational change at scale.