How Tony's Chocolonely Built Resilient Cocoa Supply Chains

Though cocoa supply chains have faced record-high prices and poor harvests throughout 2025, Tony's Chocolonely has still seen strong sales growth.

As champions of ethical chocolate, the company is aware of supply chain concerns and the importance of building resilience among its suppliers.

So, as the chocolate industry proves itself volatile, Tony's might be proving that sustainability truly pays off.

Cocoa supply under pressure

Cocoa supply chains have undergone a period of fragility, caused by years of extreme weather. In 2025, cocoa prices were three times higher than in 2022, with the UK seeing a 20% price rise while imports fell by 10%.

Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which produce 60% of the world’s cocoa, have endured four years of poor harvests and escalating climate concerns.

In 2023, heavy rainfall brought the spread of black pod disease, rotting pods before harvest. The following year, drought hit the same region.

This unstable weather has left farmers unable to grow and harvest consistently, sparking supply shortages and driving up prices.

Turbulent times for chocolatiers

Worldwide, chocolatiers have struggled with the fallout – higher cocoa costs forced many to raise product prices, resulting in reduced sales as consumers searched for cheaper alternatives. Tariffs have further complicated market growth, especially for brands seeking a foothold in the US – an area where Tony’s has managed to succeed.

Yet, 2025 brought its own hurdles for the brand too, including recalls of two products due to potential metal fragments and small stones found in bars.

Despite it all, Tony's Chocolonely continued to expand during one of the cocoa sector’s most challenging periods.

"Very proud of the results we have delivered in a turbulent year for cocoa," says Douglas Lamont, CEO at Tony's Chocolonely.

Leading a movement for fairer chocolate

Founded in 2005 by three Dutch journalists, Tony’s Chocolonely set out to tackle exploitation in the chocolate industry. Known for its bold packaging and activism, the brand is a champion of ethical practices, working to end child labour, deforestation, and unfair pay across cocoa supply chains.

The company pays a premium on its cocoa to help farmers earn a living income and sources through its Open Chain ethical initiative.

Through this programme, nearly 27,000 tonnes of fair cocoa have been purchased – impacting more than 30,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

It also encourages other chocolate brands to adopt similar models, proving that ethical sourcing and commercial success can go hand in hand.

"Our ambition to end exploitation in cocoa rests on us showing that you can deliver positive impact for cocoa farming families, while also delivering strong commercial results," Douglas continues.

"So much more to come from Team Tony's, our Mission Allies and all our co-op partners in West Africa. All are welcome to join us on our journey to end exploitation in cocoa – are you ready to commit?"

Sustainable investments driving growth

Tony's has reaped the benefits of its ethical strategy as consumer demand for sustainable products grows. In 2025, the company’s sales surged by 20% to €240m (US$283m), with a particularly strong performance in the US, where sales rose 50% to €75m (US$88.5m). This now makes the US Tony’s biggest market.

While part of this increase came from price rises of 20–30% over 18 months, Tony’s also achieved 4% volume growth in a shrinking market – boosting operating profit.

Building resilience into the cocoa chain

Much of the company’s earnings are reinvested into strengthening supply chain resilience, especially as cocoa market prices begin to fall again. During the 2024/25 operating year, Tony’s achieved 100% traceability of its beans, ensuring all cocoa was GPS-mapped and purchased at a premium.

By paying farmers higher prices, Tony’s enables them to invest in sustainable cocoa farming methods and protect against climate-driven crop losses. These efforts not only secure the brand’s long-term supply but also safeguard livelihoods.

Through higher wages, crop resilience programmes, and ethical pricing, Tony’s Chocolonely is shaping a future-ready cocoa economy – one aligned with global ESG standards and free from exploitation.

By embedding sustainability into its sourcing model, the company is seeing both immediate and long-term financial gains, proving that supply chain resilience can be both ethical and profitable.