As many of us relish a chocolatey indulgence in the evenings, it’s worth noting that a majority of major chocolate brands and their offerings aren’t ethically sourced.
We recently joined Tony’s Chocolonely’s, the Irish chocolatier brand, for its inaugural pop-up in Dublin. The event was free and open to everyone, inviting visitors into an immersive space filled with chocolate tastings and storytelling. Though we relished the tastings, the most impactful part was grasping the inequities and exploitation embedded in the cocoa supply.
Consider that around 60% of global cocoa comes from roughly 2.5 million farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast. As a Fairtrade brand, Tony’s highlights the stark disparities in the sector. Large chocolate firms, dubbed ‘Big Choco’ by activists, reap substantial profits while systematically underpaying and underinvesting in cocoa growers. Countless farmers live in poverty, pushing some toward illegal labour practices like child labour and forest clearance.
Estimates place child labour at about 1.56 million among cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with around 30,000 individuals subjected to forced labour for no compensation.
Tony’s Chocolonely is dedicated to transforming this reality by raising awareness, setting a precedent, and motivating peers in the chocolate industry to act. They urge other chocolate brands to adopt their five sourcing principles: traceable beans, fairer prices enabling farmers to earn a living wage, long-term engagement with robust farmers, and enhanced quality and productivity.
Fortunately, Tony’s isn’t the sole Irish chocolatier offering delicious, ethically sourced confections. Here are additional ethically sourced Irish chocolate brands to keep on your radar.
Bean and Goose
Based in Gorey, county Wexford, Bean and Goose are committed to ethical sourcing with their ‘bean to bar’ partner Original Beans.
Grá Chocolates
These handmade chocolates resemble edible art, crafted with care in County Galway. They are as beautiful as they are delicious, and they emphasize sustainability and openness. The business sources cacao ethically and uses locally produced Irish dairy in their creations. An added bonus is their eco-friendly packaging, consistently recyclable, compostable, or reusable.
Buíoch Irish Chocolates
One of Ireland’s premier artisanal chocolate producers, they craft handmade chocolates at their Celbridge factory on the banks of the River Liffey, in County Kildare. All cocoa used is ethically sourced, so you can enjoy without worry.
Áine’s Chocolate
Produced in County Cavan, Áine’s Chocolate is dedicated to sustainability and ethical sourcing. They aim for recyclable and sustainable packaging, using cardboard and recyclable aluminium foil. They also hold Rainforest Alliance certification and participate in Origin Green, the Irish Food Board’s Bord Bia Sustainability Programme. Their chocolates come in a variety of flavours, from honeycomb to mint.
Sugar Plum Sweetery
Daily, in small batches, Sugar Plum Sweetery’s chef-trained Master Chocolatiers operate from Mullingar, County Westmeath. Their cocoa is responsibly sourced, and through recognized sustainability programmes they contribute to supporting farmers, protecting forests and improving traceability across the supply chain.
