Galler joins the fairtrade chocolate train in Japan

Have you ever seen a circular symbol made up of blue, representing the sky; black, a person holding one arm aloft; and green, symbolizing growth? Yes, you’ve probably seen it printed on a package of a chocolate bar. It’s the Fairtrade logo.

Fair trade chocolates have become somewhat familiar to Japanese people in recent years. We see Fairtrade-certified chocolate bars sold at stores and hear or read about the righteousness of choosing Fairtrade labeled chocolates. Even Morinaga, one of Japan’s largest confectionery companies, has been producing fair trade chocolate since 2014.

The trend began in Europe. More than 25 years ago, a chocolate bar made in the UK became the first Fairtrade-certified chocolate globally. And now, another chocolaterie from Europe is stepping towards fair trade.

Galler is a Belgian chocolaterie, founded in 1976. Its chocolates have been popular in Europe for many years. Now, the company has set a new goal to create a better world by ‘changing the world of chocolate.’ And its subsidiary, Galler Japan, has also announced to launch a new project based on three pillars – People, Planet and Profitability. Galler believes the equilibrium of the three pillars will profit cocoa producers, the environment, and its business, which will lead to creating a sustainable society.

A sailing voyage that the CEO Salvatore Iannello took in 2011 inspired Galler’s new approach. Iannello took off on a sailing adventure with his family, a trip around the world, which lasted for almost four years. Through this trip, Iannello got inspired to change the conventional paradigm. He began to believe achieving the right balance between business, producers and the environment is essential for making a sustainable world.

As of 2020, Galler promises to pay fair prices for cocoa beans used to produce its products. As many of us already know, issues concerning cocoa farmers are severe; their poor working conditions, poverty, and child labor, to name a few. Fairtrade cocoa will help save the farmers from indigence.

Galler also aims to reduce 25% of its carbon emissions by reviewing the manufacturing process. Moreover, the company will join an agroforestry project at Ivory Coast and plant over 50,000 trees to grow cacao trees. Fruit trees are also included, so to make a different source of income for the cocoa producers. Increasing the cocoa farmers’ income will empower women who work at the farms and also promote gender equality.

And as for profitability, Galler believes having respect for the people involved and our planet will profit not only businesses but also society, humanity and the Earth. Therefore, it seeks for an equitable business model that will profit the three ‘P’s. It notes that consumers can contribute to building a sustainable world by choosing Fairtrade chocolates. The act of purchasing is, in itself, a supportive action to achieve a better world.

So, the next time you walk by the chocolate isle, why not keep in mind about joining the actions. It’s quite sweet and easy: pick up a Fairtrade labeled chocolate bar and enjoy the treat. Soon, we may see trick-or-treating children’s bags filled with snacks made with fair trade ingredients. Chocolate should be a treat, not a symbol of exploitation, for the producers and their families in a distant but socially connected country.