Mars Reached 98 Percent Sustainably Sourced Cocoa
The company missed its full responsible sourcing goal for 2025 despite significant progress in its supply chain.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Agriculture
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Mars achieved a 98% responsible cocoa sourcing rate in 2025, marking an increase from 81% in 2024. The results were disclosed in the company's annual sustainability update released on September 17, 2026.
Why it matters
Global cocoa shortages and rising costs, which peaked at $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025, have forced major confectioners to invest heavily in supply chain resiliency. Disease and climate change continue to threaten production, prompting firms to adopt new agricultural technologies to secure future harvests.
Mars reported 98% of its cocoa met responsible sourcing standards in 2025, up from 81% the previous year. The company is working toward a $1 billion sustainability pledge initiated in 2018.
The players
Mars
Mars is a multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products.
Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency
This government institution coordinates research and development efforts to support agricultural innovation.
The details
To improve production, Mars implemented climate-smart agriculture programs for 430 farmers across the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru. The company also integrated AI-powered tools like Cocoascan in Latin America and licensed CRISPR gene-editing technology for plant development.
Timeline
In 2018, Mars pledged $1 billion for supply chain sustainability over a decade.
Cocoa prices surged to $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025.
Mars reached 98% responsible cocoa sourcing in 2025.
The annual sustainability update was published on September 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
The company's focus on genetic innovation and climate-resilient farming positions it to mitigate the volatility currently disrupting the global cocoa market. This strategy reflects an industry-wide shift toward vertical integration and technological dependency to secure raw materials against climate instability.
Consumers may continue to face elevated chocolate prices as global supply shortages drive up production costs for major manufacturers. The reliance on new agricultural technology and climate-smart programs is a direct response to these inflationary pressures on retail goods.
The takeaway
The move toward responsible sourcing is a strategic necessity for chocolate manufacturers facing intense climate-driven supply risks. Investing in gene-editing and AI tools helps companies stabilize their raw material pipelines in an increasingly volatile global market.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of sustainable food production in our Agriculture section.
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Should large corporations be held strictly to the sustainability goals they set for themselves?
