OUR SUSTAINABLE CHOCOLATE
Luker sources its cacao from more than 15,000 farmers from across Colombia - a country where 180,000 hectares of cacao are distributed across 1.2 million square kilometers of land. Consequently, cacao is highly dispersed in small farms (each averaging three hectares).
Our commitment to fair trade practices ensures that all products —from dark chocolate bars to milk chocolate coatings— are purpose-driven, meeting the highest quality standards.
Cocoa crops are struggling—yields are low, disease is spreading, and climate change adds to the challenge. Yet, with careful attention to farming practices and the support of younger farmers, there’s a way forward.
Economic Instability
In some regions of Colombia, farmers face notable economic instability, which is increased by limited access to essential resources in rural areas. These challenges leave them struggling to build resilience against market fluctuations and environmental disruptions.
Migration of Young People to Urban Areas
In Colombia, younger generations migrate to urban areas for better opportunities, leaving rural farming communities with an aging population. This shift reduces the availability of agricultural labour, posing challenges to the sustainability and productivity of cocoa farming over time.
Climate Changes
Climate change is causing unstable harvests through shifting weather patterns, including unpredictable rainfall, flooding, and warmer temperatures. These changes heighten the risk of pests and diseases, leading to resource shortages, such as water scarcity and declining soil fertility.
Environmental Degradation and Deforestation
The expansion of agriculture often leads to deforestation, resulting in biodiversity loss, disrupted ecosystem services, and increased carbon emissions that accelerate global warming. The growing need for fertile land also puts pressure on natural habitats, driving unsustainable land use practices.
Human Rights and Ethical Practices
The cocoa industry has long been associated with challenges such as child labour, forced labour, and the displacement of local communities due to plantation expansion, often without fair compensation. While these issues are not linked to Colombia’s cocoa value chain, we remain vigilant to ensure they never become part of it.
WE STRIVE TO GENERATE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES AT ORIGIN:
IMPROVING CACAO FAMILY INCOMES
ENHANCING SOCIAL WELL-BEING
Luker Chocolate is dedicated to strengthening social well-being in rural communities through education and entrepreneurship. Our initiatives inspire a passion for cacao, promote gender-focused entrepreneurship, and raise awareness of human rights, including preventing child labour and modern slavery. By supporting local education projects, we help children and youth develop skills, stay connected to their communities, and build brighter futures.
ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY POSITIVE PRACTICES
Luker Chocolate promotes environmentally positive practices through projects that enhance biodiversity, conserve water, and protect forests. Our initiatives focus on implementing regenerative agricultural practices, fostering conservation strategies, and reducing environmental impact. These initiatives include training, biodiversity monitoring, composting, improving soil health, and responsible waste management. Together, they contribute to ecosystem restoration while actively empowering communities to care for their natural resources.
HOW DO WE GO BEYOND?
Since 1906, our founders’ vision to contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities in Colombia has been driving our company’s growth.
Proudly, we have preserved our values through time, thanks to the commitment and trust of employees and partners who have become part of our family.
Furthermore, as a company with strong ties to cocoa-growing communities in Colombia and true to our purpose, we have created The Chocolate Dream, our sustainability plan with a long-term vision to improve well-being, protect the environment, and increase the income of producers and communities, prioritizing the protection of children, women, and young people across Colombia.
Going Beyond Sustainability, means we build long-term relationships with employees, small grower associations, and the communities so that, through chocolate, we can create together a more prosperous future based on their context and needs.
OUR 2023 IMPACT ON COCOA FARMERS AND THE COCOA INDUSTRY
3900+
Families positively impacted
1000+
Farmers with increased income
17%
Of reduction in our direct carbon emissions
100%
Compensated emissions scope I and II
DOWNLOAD OUR SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2024
Our report looks at the last two years, showing the challenges and successes we’ve had in our journey to sustainable & ethical chocolate. We’re still writing this story and invite you to join us.
FAQs
We receive lots of questions about Luker Chocolate’s sustainable chocolate. Most of these can be answered by referring to our Sustainability Report however we have highlighted some of the key ones below. If you would like further help please contact us.
The Chocolate Dream is key toour Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach: it is our collaborative plan to transform the cacao value chain and create sustainable wellbeing in the cacao regions where we work. Through The Chocolate Dream, we bring positive impacts, delivering value to cacao communities through education, entrepreneurship, art and culture, agricultural development, environmental awareness, and job creation in the countryside.
Luker Chocolate joined the Race to Zero campaign in 2021, committing to a plan to reduce carbon emissions while driving sustainable growth. Our climate strategy, aligned with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), includes board-level oversight and targeted actions to reduce emissions across our value chain. In December 2024, our net-zero target for 2050 was validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with goals to cut emissions by 30% by 2030 and 75% by 2050, using 2021 as the baseline. Our efforts focus on energy efficiency, reducing natural gas consumption, and sourcing 100% renewable energy, alongside optimising logistics, packaging, and sustainable sourcing to lower Scope 3 emissions.
Luker Chocolate is a B Corp company, committed to high social, environmental, and economic standards (Link a B Corp). We are certified under ISO 14001 for environmental management, FSSC for food safety, and SMETA for ethical trade and labour standards.
Additionally, as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), we meet international security and trade facilitation standards.
Luker Chocolate ensures a deforestation-free cacao supply chain through agroforestry, traceability, and farmer collaboration. We integrate native trees with cacao farming to restore land and promote biodiversity. Our LukerTrace system uses GPS mapping and satellite imagery to verify cacao origins and ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Additionally, through The Chocolate Dream, we train and support farmers in adopting sustainable practices, ensuring both environmental protection and long-term productivity.
Luker Chocolate ensures fair payments by maintaining high price transfer rates and long-term engagement with farmers. We pay over 90% of the New York Stock Exchange (FOB) price, including premiums for quality, fermentation, and good practices. We support farmers by offering early payments for wet cacao at the same price as finished cacao, easing financial pressure. We have also expanded purchasing points, giving more farmers direct access to competitive prices. Transparent pricing ensures they can make informed decisions, reinforcing our commitment to fair and sustainable sourcing.
Luker Chocolate sources its cacao from more than 15,000 farmers across Colombia, where cacao is cultivated on small farms averaging three hectares. Farmers can sell their cacao through different channels, including regional buyers, farmer associations, Luker’s farms, and Luker’s warehouses, choosing the best option based on price, logistics, and services offered. Luker maintains long-term relationships with suppliers and prioritises sustainable sourcing, ensuring fair pricing and direct support for farming communities.
