Credit: Lidl
Ahead of the Easter weekend, Lidl Luxembourg has announced that the group will only source Fairtrade cocoa by 2025; this announcement forms part of the group's desire to achieve a 10% annual increase in its turnover in products bearing a sustainable label.
Through its Way-To-Go range, made from certified Fairtrade cocoa grown in Ghana, Lidl aims to guarantee precise traceability of the cocoa used, from the Ghanaian cooperative to the consumer. This initiative also sees Lidl pay an additional premium to the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative, which already brings together more than 440 cocoa producers. This premium makes it possible in particular to contribute to the financing of training for more sustainable agriculture, the optimisation of agricultural methods and the diversification of crops.
Lidl is also actively participating in the campaign organised by the Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg non-profit organisation as part of its 30th anniversary. As of 11 April 2022, the so-called "Fairtrade Flame" has been installed at the entrance to the Strassen store, highlighting the long-standing partnership that unites the two organisations.
The brand noted that Luxembourg residents are fond of Fairtrade products. For example, sales of fair trade chocolates are growing year on year. This confirms the positive momentum of Fairtrade products, which had already been very successful at Christmas.
"We are seeing a growing mobilisation of consumers in Luxembourg. We are more than happy to instil, with our partners, this necessary transition towards fair and responsible consumption", explained Geneviève Krol, Director of Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg. "Fairtrade products are imbued with positive values for the planet and producers. And each customer can make a difference: by opting for a sustainable and fair alternative, Luxembourgers contribute to the development of rural regions, support producer cooperatives and help them to considerably improve their living and working conditions".
In line with its commitments to sustainable development, Lidl is continuing to expand its range of ethical and responsible products. The Fairtrade products most appreciated by Luxembourg customers are bananas, coffee and chocolate. Lidl is thus offering a wider choice of such products for consumers.
Julien Wathieu, spokesperson for Lidl Belgium and Luxembourg, concluded: "We are working on an increasingly sustainable assortment and thus helping our customers to make more responsible choices. To do this, we resolutely opt for products whose quality and durability are guaranteed by rigorous and independent labels. This concerns a very wide range of items, including fruit and vegetables, dairy products, fish, wooden items and of course chocolate. Our ambition is to continue this growth, touching new assortments and increasing the number of items".
