Welcome break for cocoa farmers as Nestlé announces KitKats are to become Fairtrade

David Rennie, managing director of Nestlé Confectionery, said more than 6,000 farmers on the Ivory Coast would benefit from the move, which involves chocolate bars made at the York factory.

“UK consumers are increasingly interested in how we source and manufacture their favourite products and certifying our largest and most iconic brand is one of the ways in which we are committing to improving the lives of as many cocoa farming families as possible,” he said.

The move will mean additional payments for farmers to invest in community or business development projects of their own choice, such as improving healthcare and schools.

The announcement was hailed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who said he could remember saying two years ago that Nestlé should make its chocolate Fairtrade.

He said: “So when I heard that Nestlé was making KitKat Fairtrade, I simply said ‘Wow!’. It goes to show that people can make a difference.

“The fact that Nestlé has listened to local campaigners and invested considerable time, effort and financial support to make this Fairtrade biscuit a reality is fantastic news.”

Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said the announcement gave a welcome break to cocoa farmers, while Trade And Development Minister Gareth Thomas said the move would give British shoppers the chance to improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.

“This will give thousands of Ivorian cocoa farmers better opportunities to trade their way out of poverty,” he said.

York MP Hugh Bayley said he would table an Early Day Motion in Parliament to acknowledge Nestlé’s commitment to Fairtrade, and he looked forward to further commitments from manufacturers to reduce poverty in developing countries.

Mark Dawson, chair of the York Fairtrade Forum, said: “We are delighted for the producers, the cocoa and sugar farmers in developing countries who will now be paid a decent price for their crop.”