Ever think about where chocolate comes from?

Question

Me, I loves the chocolate.. but the industry has a rather "dark side" (mmmmm.. dark chocolate) that gives a whole new meaning to the term "guilty pleasure"...

As a commodity sold as futures on the exchange - apparently 2/3 of all cocoa produced comes from West Africa, where it has been alleged that an estimated 90% of cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire have used some form of slave labour in order to remain viable. When cocoa prices drop, farmers in West Africa sometimes cut costs by resorting to slave labour...

So, with that in mind - would YOU pay more for your chocolate to ensure it was fair trade? Would you boycott your favourite bar if you thought it might mae a difference to their practices and ethics..?

Please, chocoholics only!

Answer 1

I think that labor laws need to be strengthened; if getting chocolate with the confidence of having safe labor conditions and equal pay and all that jazz, the price will automatically sky-rocket... however, I think that in America alone, the price of chocolate will never be too high... we're all addicted to the smooth & creamy goodness. I say up the price to ensure the safety and improved working conditions for our chocolate people.

Its too bad Umpa Lumpas aren't real... we could have all the chocolate we wanted without having to worry about people being abused & exploited. They love making chocolate, they'd be a great help :)

Answer 2

Oh man, you can't go mess with peoples' chocolate. That just ain't right, I don't care who ya are!
The only problem is this; even if you boycott it, they are still going to use slave labor. Folks already do pay more for their favorite chocolate, not necessarily to ensure fair trade, but just because everything costs more these days. If they want it badly enough, they will pay for it, I assure you.
That being said, I wish I thought the world could be a better place & no one used slave labor anymore, but it is a fact in developing & third-world countries. Regardless of supply and demand marketing, they will continue to use it, as they have for centuries.
It is a way of life for them.
This is an excellent question/statement & I do appreciate the thought that went into it, but I don't think we can change it.
Did you know that in ancient Rome, one out of every three people was a slave? Not much has changed.
Enjoy your chocolate - I don't eat it very often, but when I do, I love dark chocolate! Get Dove - life is to short to eat cheap chocolates!!!

Answer 3

if my favorite chocolate company used these means , then theyd lose a valued customer so yes i would pay a bit more (or find an excellent cheap chocolate company) to support instead... maybe the other company would wake up and smell the chocolate.

Answer 4

Would I pay more for fair trade chocolate? Probably, as long as it's not extremely pricey.

Answer 5

Mmmm.

Answer 6

Good information...