Comments on: A Sad Day for the Children of Cocoa Farmers http://michael-niemann.com/blog/2008/06/17/a-sad-day-for-the-children-of-cocoa-farmers/ Reflections on the politics and economics of cocoa and chocolate by Michael Niemann Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:53:37 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael http://michael-niemann.com/blog/2008/06/17/a-sad-day-for-the-children-of-cocoa-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Michael Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:40:13 +0000 http://michael-niemann.com/blog/?p=36#comment-236 Hmmm, boycotting seems appealing at first glance, but will probably not make much of a difference. Chocolate made from West African beans is too widespread around the world, it would be very difficult to generate the kind of global movement necessary to make a boycott effective. Also keep in mind that a boycott will hit farmers first. And farmers should not be penalized for adapting to low prices that are beyond their control. Fair Trade is one avenue to pursue since it helps educate consumers about the conditions of farmers that grow cocoa. I'm not sure that it will be enough, given the small market share that FT currently occupies. In the end, I believe consumers of chocolate must contact their political representatives and demand action at the political level. Either by pushing the chocolate industry to do more or by negotiating new international agreements that help support farmers. Hmmm, boycotting seems appealing at first glance, but will probably not make much of a difference. Chocolate made from West African beans is too widespread around the world, it would be very difficult to generate the kind of global movement necessary to make a boycott effective.

Also keep in mind that a boycott will hit farmers first. And farmers should not be penalized for adapting to low prices that are beyond their control.

Fair Trade is one avenue to pursue since it helps educate consumers about the conditions of farmers that grow cocoa. I’m not sure that it will be enough, given the small market share that FT currently occupies.

In the end, I believe consumers of chocolate must contact their political representatives and demand action at the political level. Either by pushing the chocolate industry to do more or by negotiating new international agreements that help support farmers.

]]> By: Beth http://michael-niemann.com/blog/2008/06/17/a-sad-day-for-the-children-of-cocoa-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Beth Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:43:38 +0000 http://michael-niemann.com/blog/?p=36#comment-230 I'm a grad student working on a paper regarding the appropriate consumer response/action to this knowledge. I'm wondering your thoughts on boycotting versus buying just Fair Trade versus some other action... How do we protect the small farms not practicing child labor while making a conscious consumer choice and "voting with our dollar?" I’m a grad student working on a paper regarding the appropriate consumer response/action to this knowledge. I’m wondering your thoughts on boycotting versus buying just Fair Trade versus some other action… How do we protect the small farms not practicing child labor while making a conscious consumer choice and “voting with our dollar?”

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