In the early 2000s, coffee was in crisis. Colombian coffee farmer Juan Pablo Echeverri knew market connections were key to his business success. So he joined the UTZ progam, and is still enjoying the benefits today. “Certification opens doors. It’s up to you whether to walk through them or not.”
Continue readingIn the early 2000s, coffee was in crisis. Colombian coffee farmer Juan Pablo Echeverri knew market connections were key to his business success. So he joined the UTZ progam, and is still enjoying the benefits today. “Certification opens doors. It’s up to you whether to walk through them or not.”
Agung Widi, from Kalimajari, a civil society organization working with cocoa farmers and Kerta Semaya Samaniya cocoa cooperative in Jembrana, Indonesia, explains how certification helped them become one of the top 50 cocoa producers in the world.
A 2017 study on market potential for certified coffee in Belgium reveals that 3rd party certification could become the norm if large roasters would commit to sustainable sourcing. It also shows that certification schemes should collaborate to help change the perception of certification from a cost to an investment for companies.
Ria Stout, Chief Regional Officer of the new Rainforest Alliance, wrote UTZ’s first certification standard. She has dedicated her life to both organizations, which are now joining forces to amplify and accelerate sustainability transformation around the world. She sheds her light on the exciting journey.
January 2018 marks an auspicious beginning for the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ, which have just formally merged into a new organization. Han de Groot, the CEO of the new Rainforest Alliance and the former executive director of UTZ, reflects on the shared vision that brought the two organizations together.
It’s been four years since we launched our hazelnut program. We check in for an update on the challenges of the sector, what we’ve done so far and how that informs our focus for the future.
Research commissioned by UTZ reveals the difference climate change is likely to make to the tea sector in Malawi up to 2050. Forecasts show it will become harder to grow tea in all production areas.
2017 marks two years since we launched the UEBT/UTZ herbal tea program. Alongside UTZ tea expert, Maya Sermeño, we take a look at all we’ve achieved and our approach moving forward.
In January 2018 we expect to complete the legal merger with the Rainforest Alliance and start working to build our new organization. Here we give an update on what’s been decided so far and what it means for you as a company. And we hope you’ll take part in our market consultation to help shape our value offering for companies.
Trust is down. Expectations are up. According to a recent global study by BBMG and GlobeScan, for the first time since 2009, more consumers say they have punished companies for their behavior rather than rewarded them.
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