-
Over half of Waitrose seasonal chocolate products will now be sourced via Tony's Open Chain Mass Balance
-
Waitrose has increased the total amount of cocoa beans purchased through Tony's Open Chain by 53%* reinforcing Waitrose's commitment to sourcing cocoa responsibly
-
Waitrose was the first UK based retailer to partner with Tony's Open Chain in 2024 to source cocoa for 9 chocolate bars
Waitrose has announced a major expansion of its partnership with Tony's Open Chain, scaling up its action to source cocoa responsibly across its seasonal and boxed chocolate lines.
Under the expanded agreement, over half of Waitrose seasonal chocolate will now be sourced via Tony's Open Chain Mass Balance. This transition also involves strengthening the sourcing credentials of its own-label boxed chocolates using the Tony's Open Chain mass balance "Bean to Machine" sourcing model for the first time in addition to its existing Fairtrade Certified Cocoa sourcing.
The expansion builds on Waitrose's landmark 2024 agreement, when it became the first UK based retailer to join Tony's Open Chain as a 'Mission Ally'. The initial rollout covered six Waitrose own-brand chocolate bars and three Cook's ingredients bars using segregated cocoa.
Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics & Sustainability at John Lewis Partnership comments: "We're proud to extend our partnership with Tony's Chocolonely through Tony's Open Chain. Enhancing our responsible sourcing standards is an essential part of building resilient supply chains that deliver the high-quality ethically sourced products our customers expect, both now and in the future.
"By broadening our sourcing of cocoa through Tony's Open Chain, we hope to show what’s possible and to encourage other retailers and brands to join in its shared mission to help end exploitation in the cocoa supply chain once and for all."
Rianne van Doeveren, General Manager at Tony's Open Chain comments: "When we talk about impact, we're talking about real families in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire whose livelihoods depend on cocoa. Waitrose's extension of their partnership with Tony's Open Chain is not symbolic, it's a practical change. More cocoa will be flowing through a supply chain that commits to higher cocoa prices for the long term, traces the beans sourced, and invests directly in the communities that grow them.
These farmers deserve partners who show up properly, and that's exactly what Waitrose is doing. We thank Waitrose for their trust, dedication and passion in expanding the volume of cocoa sourced via our impact model, and proving that it’s possible to create more equitable supply chains."
By deepening its involvement, Waitrose reinforces its support for Tony's Open Chain's Sourcing Principles:
-
100% Traceable Beans: Ensuring complete visibility over where cocoa is grown and its journey through the supply chain up to at least the first cocoa processor, prior to mass-balance mixing.
-
A Higher Price: Committing to pay the Living Income Reference Price for cocoa to help bridge the gap to a living income for farmers.
-
Strong Co-operatives: Investing in professionalisation of farmer cooperatives to empower local communities.
-
Long-Term Commitments: Working with suppliers on multi-year agreements to offer income security.
-
Quality & Productivity: Supporting farmers to improve yield and agricultural practices safely.
All Tony's Open Chain cocoa remains Fairtrade certified as well. As part of Waitrose's ambition to close the living income gap, the retailer pays an additional premium on top of the Fairtrade certified bean price to achieve the Living Income Reference Price, a benchmark set by Fairtrade International.
While the sourcing models advance, the products themselves remain unchanged in taste and quality. Customers will continue to enjoy the exact same recipes and flavours across Waitrose chocolate bars, Cook’s ingredients, seasonal treats, and boxed chocolates, with the added assurance of ethically sourced cocoa.
* Since the 2023-2024 cocoa season
Notes to Editors
New products sourcing cocoa via Tony's Open Chain are using the mass-balance sourcing model. Waitrose commits to buying the required amount of cocoa beans in advance from participating Tony's cocoa farms. Those cocoa beans are segregated up to the first point of cocoa processing, and thereafter may be mixed during manufacturing with other sources of cocoa.
This means the amount of cocoa physically traceable to Tony's Open Chain farms in the final product is unknown. However, the positive financial impact for farmers participating in Tony's Open Chain remains the same using this model and for these products as for the segregated supply chain model, already in use for nine of Waitrose block chocolate bars.
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK's largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has over 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
