Mars, Incorporated and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), a global leader in naturally good food and beverage ingredients and solutions, announced a five-year strategic collaboration (2025-2029) to help advance climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices in cocoa production in Ecuador, across Mars and ofi’s shared cocoa supply chain.

Partnering for more than 15 years of joint sustainable cocoa sourcing globally and a decade jointly in Ecuador, the latest collaboration combines Mars and ofi’s shared 2050 Net Zero vision with both companies’ commitments validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

In the first phase, more than 960 farmers across major cocoa growing regions of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santo Domingo in Ecuador are expected to implement regenerative agriculture, across more than 9,000 hectares of farmland, an area roughly the size of the Greek island of Santorini. Farmers are transitioning from full-sun monoculture to multistrata agroforestry. By mimicking natural forest ecosystems, these systems boost cocoa production, support microorganisms and pollinators, and create natural barriers against pests and disease.

Farmers will also be equipped with tools to use low carbon fertilizers, improved crop residue management, and biochar applications. Together, these interventions aim to help participating farmers strengthen long term resilience in cocoa farming by enhancing soil health, reducing GHG emissions, increasing CO₂ removals, and their cocoa crop yields. Approximately 4,800 people in surrounding cocoa-growing communities are also estimated to benefit from these on-farm investments.

“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,” Benjamin Guilbert, global vice president, cocoa at Mars, said in a statement.

ofi, Head of Cocoa Sustainability, Andrew Brooks said: “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.”

Mars aims to be a positive force in the cocoa system, which requires deep collaboration with partners like ofi. By aligning on rigorous, SBTi-validated standards and co-investing in farmer-centered solutions, Mars and suppliers who share its values are pushing the industry forward with credible, ambitious goals. By doing so, it aims to drive measurable reductions in GHG emissions in the cocoa supply chain, supporting broader sustainability ambitions, outlined in the Mars Net Zero Roadmap, to achieve net zero emissions across its full value chain by 2050 (as measured in each case against a 2015 baseline).

“True progress on climate requires shared ambition and mutually beneficial value. Having Net Zero ambitions 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,” Pedro Amaral, associate director, head of cocoa climate sustainability, Mars, said in a statement.

ofi is guided by its Purpose: to be the change for good food and a healthy future. Choices for Change, ofi’s overarching sustainability strategy, focuses on four interconnected pillars - prosperous farmers, thriving communities, climate action, and regenerating the living world - underpinned by supply chain excellence. ofi’s climate action targets, including a science-based target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 have a baseline of 2020. ofi works with customers, partners, and farmers to strengthen traceability and transparency and become a preferred partner for positive change across global food and drink supply chains.