Why we’re not backing down: the impact of our gentle farming initiatives

Long before we acquired the Rabot Estate in Saint Lucia, we were guided by the belief that gentle farming should be at the heart of everything we do at Hotel Chocolat. But back in 2004, as we were preparing to open our first London store and launch our early sustainability initiatives, we faced a major dilemma: in an industry driven by low margins and high demand, how would it be possible to produce premium, high-cacao chocolate that guarantees fairer prices for farmers, empowers local communities, and is grown in a way that isn’t harmful to the environment? 

Faced with this dilemma, we worked tirelessly to develop an ethical farming model that respects both people and the planet. And after a bit of trial and error, we were able to prove that exceptional chocolate can be made without compromise. 

Over the past two decades, from planting shade trees to embracing our gentle farming commitment, we’ve fundamentally changed how we operate, deepening our connection to the cacao growers, the land we depend on, and the purpose that guides our company.

Curious to learn more about our latest initiatives? Find out what they are, how they’re evolving, and how every purchase you make from Hotel Chocolat is helping to support a more sustainable and ethical future for the chocolate industry. 

How our St Lucian Rabot Estate helped to inspire our gentle farming approach

Although the cacao we use to make our bars and chocolate boxes is grown in both Ghana and Saint Lucia, it was the purchase of our Saint Lucian Rabot Estate in 2006 that really opened our eyes to the difficult realities faced by both local cacao farmers and the industry as a whole. 

Heading overseas, we witnessed declining cacao production that had left many farms abandoned or converted to harvest other crops, while inadequate incomes kept growers struggling to make ends meet. 

And the environmental impact was equally concerning. Widespread deforestation and monocropping practices had diminished biodiversity and degraded soil health. Meanwhile, farmers found themselves isolated from markets, unable to secure reliable buyers willing to pay fair prices. 

Seeing these realities for ourselves, we knew we had to find a better way forward — and, luckily, we did!

What are our gentle farming initiatives?

Our gentle farming initiatives focus on supporting farmers to grow cacao sustainably by using biodiversity-friendly production methods and boosting soil health. Paying above-market rates is a key part of our approach, improving our workers’ lives and supporting environmental protection.

Some of our biggest initiatives include: 

The supply of shade tree seedlings in Ghana

We provide cocoa and/or shade tree seedlings to farmers in our gentle farming programme, encouraging them to grow cacao under the shade of neighbouring trees. This helps the cacao to grow better and increases biodiversity, which supports healthier farms and makes them more resilient to climate change.

Enhanced pruning practices 

Plants benefit when you prune the bits that hold them back, and cacao is no exception. We collaborate with farmers to deliver expert guidance on pruning techniques, allowing them to maximise their cacao harvest and increase farm productivity for greater earnings.

Making the switch to organic fertilisers 

Working at our Rabot Estate, we’ve been able to explore a range of organic fertilisation methods that are much gentler on the environment than their artificial counterparts. These natural methods enable the soil to hold more water and nutrients, leading to healthier plants and trees. The wisdom we’ve acquired working with organic fertilisers has also been passed onto our farmers in Ghana, allowing them to cultivate their crops with the same care for the earth as we do at the Rabot Estate.

Closing the gap towards a living income

We offer guaranteed crop prices to all our participating farmers, regardless of harvest size. Our above-market rates go directly to growers, helping to bridge the income gap and support sustainable livelihoods.

Why We Pay a Premium for Cacao

We pay more for our cacao because we believe in chocolate that does more. Behind every bar is a commitment to fair, direct relationships with the farmers who grow our cacao—and that starts with paying a premium price. Through our gentle farming programmes in Saint Lucia and Ghana, this above-market rate ensures not just exceptional quality, but real impact on the ground.

The premium enables us to support sustainable farming, boost climate resilience, and help farmers thrive. In Saint Lucia, we go even further by committing to buy 100% of the harvest from farmers using gentle practices, giving them consistent income and the confidence to reinvest in their land.

In Ghana, over 2,500 farmers benefit from this higher price, gaining the resources and autonomy to improve their farms, care for the environment, and build a future on their own terms. We pay more because we believe great cacao is worth it—for the chocolate, for the farmers, and for the planet.

Making better choices: the impact of our Better Way Bar

Back in 2023, we introduced our Better Way Bar as part of our mission to raise awareness about nature-positive cacao growing and fund the scale-up of our gentle farming initiatives. 

Every penny we make from the Better Way Bar (excluding VAT) goes towards supporting all of the transformative, gentle farming initiatives that we mentioned above. This means that now, almost two years on, we’re able to see the huge impact that this humble chocolate bar has made.

These better-for-the-planet bars are crafted with rich cacao grown by our farmers in Saint Lucia and Ghana, and feature a nutty hazelnut praline centre with crispy biscuit pieces and tart cherry, all enrobed in chocolate made at our Rabot Estate.

Tempted to try this consciously crafted bar and do some good while you indulge? Get your hands on a Milk or Dark Better Way Bar to enjoy chocolate that tastes as good as the impact it creates. 

Experience gentle farming firsthand at our Rabot Estate

It’s one thing to read about our commitment to sustainability, but quite another to stand in our groves and feel the difference that gentle farming makes. So, why not come and experience it for yourself? At our over 140-acre Rabot Estate in Saint Lucia, we’ve opened our doors to chocolate lovers who want to see our sustainable practices in action through Project Chocolat.

Our unique Tree to Bar experience takes you on a complete journey from cacao seedling to finished chocolate bar, showing you exactly how we nurture both the land and the farmers who work it. You’ll walk through our working cacao farm, witness our gentle farming methods up close, and discover how we’re proving that exceptional chocolate can be made without compromise.

For those short on time, our Bean to Bar experience gets straight to the hands-on fun of making your own chocolate bar while you learn the insider secrets of our sustainable approach. Both experiences are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, giving you the perfect opportunity to taste, touch, and truly understand what makes our gentle farming initiatives so special.

This hands-on connection brings the story full circle, allowing you to experience the very practices that inspired our Better Way Bar and continue to drive our mission forward.

Your choice to buy better makes a world of difference

When you pick up one of our chocolate bars, boxes, or gift sets, you’re not just treating yourself or a loved one, you’re backing all the hardworking growers in our network who can now invest in their land, their families, and their futures. 

Your choice to buy more sustainably doesn’t just mean choosing better chocolate. It means supporting the restoration of landscapes that need our care, preventing biodiversity loss, and helping to protect the ecosystems that make truly great chocolate possible. Every bite counts.

Curious to learn more about our ethics and sustainability initiatives? Find out more about how we’re leading the way for a better future. Explore our full range of initiatives, from our commitments to the planet to the pledge we make to our people. When it comes to doing things right, we’re not settling. We’re setting a new standard.