Mars missed its goal to source 100% of its cocoa from farms in its responsible sourcing program in 2025, according to the company’s annual sustainability update released Sept. 17.
During the year, Mars suppliers sourced 98% of the volume of cocoa and cocoa ingredients needed for Mars branded products through its Responsibly Sourced Cocoa program. That was up from 81% in 2024, the company said in its previous Cocoa for Generations report.
As part of the program, suppliers are asked to source cocoa from land that has not been cleared or converted from another natural ecosystem.
Mars said it missed its 2025 targets by a small margin, citing tough conditions across the cocoa market. In its Cocoa for Generations Progress Report, the company said it was proud of the progress it had made despite significant volatility in global cocoa markets during the year.
That volatility was driven by a global shortage of cocoa that sent prices soaring. Cocoa prices reached $10,710 a metric ton in January 2025, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data, helping to push up chocolate prices for consumers and adding pressure to food manufacturers.
The production problems have also forced Mars to look at agricultural and technology solutions. The company licensed CRISPR gene-editing technology to help develop cocoa plants more resilient to climate change and disease, both of which are putting further strain on cocoa production.
Mars is advancing its sustainability commitments with initiatives in multiple producing regions. In 2025, the company started its first climate-smart agriculture program with suppliers in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru.
The initiative helped 430 farmers to increase long-term resilience of cocoa production as well as improve soil health and yields from crops.
Mars has also introduced technology to help farmers respond to disease threats. In Latin America, the company launched Cocoascan, an AI tool to help identify and mitigate three infectious cocoa diseases: Witches’ Broom, Frosty Pod and Black Pod.
Mars and its suppliers worked with farmers in Indonesia to promote modern cultivation techniques to boost cocoa production. The company also worked with the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia to release two cocoa clones that would improve yields in Indonesia and Brazil.
The latest report is part of a reporting drive Mars has been undertaking since 2018, when it pledged to invest $1 billion over 10 years to boost the sustainability of its cocoa supply chain.
Mars’ responsible sourcing program does not yet fully cover the planet, but the jump from 81% to 98% in one year is a big step up in terms of the volume of cocoa linked to its sustainability requirements.
