Sustainability

COMMITMENT

Going to the next level

As a family business, we attach great importance to establishing strong human relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

So for over 50 years, we have been committed to responsible and ethical trading. We consider growers as true partners, supporting them in the implementation of sustainable production methods and paying a fair price for their crops. We are also particularly concerned by issues such as human rights violations like child labour and gender discrimination, poor environmental practices and deforestation.

Naturally, we comply with the rules and regulations in place, and collaborate with several recognized certification schemes.

Digitalisation supports the need for a greater transparency and traceability within the supply chain, in addition to measuring our impact on the farming communities.

100’000

BAGS OF ORGANIC COFFEE SOLD ANNUALLY AT GROUP LEVEL

50%

OF GROUP COCOA SALES ARE CERTIFIED AND/OR TRACEABLE

30%

OF GROUP COFFEE SALES ARE CERTIFIED

50+

YEARS OF SUSTAINABLE TRADING

CAFEMA INTERNATIONAL

In 1970, we founded CafeMA International, committed to improving growers’ living conditions through sustainable agricultural practices.

CafeMA exclusively handles FLO-Fairtrade certified coffee, sourced solely from smallholder farmers cooperatives.

CafeMA acts as a partner with these cooperatives to develop FLO-Fairtrade initiatives.

Today, CafeMA represents about 8% of the FLO-Fairtrade volume traded worldwide.

1970

Foundation of CafeMA International by its parent company Walter Matter.

2004

CafeMA International becomes Fairtrade (FLO) certified. The first FLO coffees are marketed.

CONTACT US AT cafema@cafema.ch

VOLUNTARY SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS

Fairtrade

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.

SEE OUR CERTIFICATE

Rainforest Alliance

The main objective of the Rainforest Alliance label is the conservation of the biodiversity, protection of wild animals, protection of child labour for children under 15 years of age.

SEE OUR CERTIFICATE

UTZ Certified

UTZ Certification offers on-line traceability that allows users to verify the origin of their purchased product. Companies and consumers can be assured that their products are truly produced using good economic, social and environmental practices.

SEE OUR COFFEE CERTIFICATE

SEE OUR COCOA CERTIFICATE

Organic

The organic label is a certification of agriculture production methods without any chemicals products. This type of agriculture is based on the respect for living organisms and natural cycles. It globally manages production by promoting not only the agro-system, but also biodiversity, organic soil activities and biological cycles.

SEE OUR CERTIFICATE (CH / EU – BIO, BIO SUISSE)

SEE OUR CERTIFICATE (USDA NOP)

OUR SUSTAINABILITY APPROACH

Our mission : to offer responsibly grown products that meet customers’ expectations, while always taking into account the people and planet’s interests.

Our approach is based on three main pillars.

1

Partnering for success

Fruitful collaborations allow to share expertise, knowledge and best practices.

2

Acting for impact

Through our programs on the ground, we aim to deliver a positive and long-term impact for all stakeholders of the chain.

3

Sourcing for shared value

Playing a pivot role in the chain, sharing success and value remains a priority for us to build a long-term relationship upstream and downstream.

OUR PROCESS

Making a lasting and positive impact requires discipline

Robust project management and rigorous processes are key to significantly help the local communities and deliver a long-term and positive impact on the ground.

All our projects in the fields involve:

  • A farmers’ group/cooperative/local exporter
  • A coffee roaster/chocolate manufacturer
  • A local or international institution/NGO

When launching programs at origins, we follow a 4-step process.

1

DIAGNOSIS

We first assess the situation by conducting a survey to deliver the baseline data and get a clear understanding of the local context.

2

SOLUTION PROPOSAL

We then address the crucial issues, taking into account the locat context and culture. We also engage our partners at origin and at destination.

3

SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION

The next step is to execute the activities according to the planning and the resources agreed.

4

IMPACT MEASUREMENT &
EXIT STRATEGY

After analyzing the KPIs to build the impact survey, we elaborate the exit strategy of the project, together with our partners.

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE

Engaging stakeholders to embrace the sustainability journey

We engage our suppliers from all origins to embrace the sustainability journey and implement sustainable practices in terms of human rights, environmental protection, and more.

To this end, we have launched our Responsible Business Policy, which addresses the following aspects:

  • Compliance & Business Integrity
  • Human Rights
  • Health & Safety
  • Environmental Protection
  • Collaboration & Transparency

Progress is regularly measured by our sustainability team and by a third-party auditor based in the origins.

SEE OUR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS POLICY

PROJECTS

Over the past decades, we have developed a strong network of reliable partners with whom we have launched local initiatives to support producers.

1126
2021

Perú – Amazonas

Agricultural practices improvement to strengthen coffee smallholders’ resilience