Welfare of Animals in the Chocolate and Cocoa Industry

Cocoa farming is a significant driver of deforestation in West Africa, threatening chimpanzee, forest elephant, and other wildlife welfare through habitat destruction.

Key Facts

70% of global cocoa comes from Ghana and Cote dIvoire, both experiencing rapid deforestation
Chimpanzee populations in Cote dIvoire have declined by over 90% in recent decades largely from habitat loss
Some cocoa farms have been established illegally inside protected areas including national parks
Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade certification requires deforestation-free cocoa production
Shade-grown cocoa that maintains a forest canopy dramatically reduces biodiversity loss

Welfare Considerations

Cocoa industry wildlife welfare harm is driven by expansion into forest habitat supporting globally significant populations. Chimpanzees lose territories, food sources, and social group integrity as farms replace forests. Forest elephants experience range compression and increased human contact. Individual animals killed as crop pests, injured in snares, or orphaned when family members are killed all represent welfare consequences of cocoa expansion. Certification and shade-grown sourcing directly reduce these harms.

What You Can Do

Choose Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified chocolate from brands with deforestation-free sourcing
Support Green America chocolate scorecard campaigns for brand accountability
Donate to Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee conservation programs in cocoa-affected regions
Advocate for EU deforestation regulation implementation requiring chocolate companies to certify forest-free supply chains