ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

All About the Chocolate Empire That Emerged From one Man's Fight Against Exploitation

As Tony’s Chocolonely continues to expand its reach and influence, its impact extends far beyond the realm of chocolate.
PUBLISHED APR 7, 2024
Cover Image Source: Facebook | Tony's Chocolonely
Cover Image Source: Facebook | Tony's Chocolonely

Chocolate brands may spread sweetness across the globe, but at the heart of it lies the the bitter reality of exploitation, that one man dared to call out. Teun van de Keuken, a Dutch journalist turned entrepreneur, embarked on a mission to revolutionize the chocolate industry and eradicate the stain of child labor and slavery from its supply chains. What emerged from his activism was Tony’s Chocolonely, a beacon of ethical consumption and social responsibility.



 

Frustrated by the pervasive use of child labor in the cocoa industry, he sought to hold himself accountable for perpetuating this injustice. His attempt to incriminate himself, however, was met with bureaucratic indifference.

Undeterred, he pivoted towards a more constructive approach, creating a chocolate brand that would serve as a testament to ethical production practices.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tony's Chocolonely USA 🇺🇸 (@tonyschocolonely_us)


 

Tony’s Chocolonely was founded on a simple yet powerful premise, to demonstrate that chocolate could be made without exploiting children or farmers. The company committed itself to paying West African cocoa farmers a living wage, thereby addressing the root causes of child labor. It also pledged to source its beans from farms that abstained from deforestation, aligning its business practices with environmental stewardship.

Nearly two decades later, the brand has transcended its Dutch origins to become a global phenomenon. Its unwavering dedication to social justice and sustainability has garnered widespread acclaim, propelling it into the ranks of the world's most beloved chocolate brands.

With a presence in major U.S. retailers like Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart, Tony’s Chocolonely has become synonymous with conscientious consumption.



 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 955 investigations uncovered child labor violations in 2023, marking a 14% rise compared to the previous year. These investigations revealed nearly 5,800 children employed unlawfully, representing an 88% surge since 2019.

CEO Douglas Lamont attributes the company's success to its steadfast adherence to ethical principles. "We’ve demonstrated it’s possible to pay a living income to farmers to address the challenges of child labor. We’ve shown you can be a successful chocolate company doing it the right way, in an ethical way," he told CNBC Make It.

With revenue reaching $162 million and a 23% growth rate in the past year alone, the company has demonstrated the economic viability of its socially conscious model. In addition to that, consumers are increasingly voting with their wallets, choosing brands that prioritize transparency, fairness, and sustainability.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tony's Chocolonely USA 🇺🇸 (@tonyschocolonely_us)


 

Tony’s Chocolonely has shattered industry norms and inspired a new generation of conscious consumers. The financial success of the company also reveals the growing demand for ethically sourced products.

Beyond its financial achievements, the company is also committed to fostering direct relationships with cocoa farmers. Through initiatives like Tony’s Open Chain, the company seeks to establish transparent supply chains and empower farmers to earn a dignified livelihood. 

As Tony’s Chocolonely continues to expand its reach and influence, its impact extends far beyond the realm of chocolate. By daring to challenge the status quo and championing a vision of fairness and equality, the company has not only built a successful brand but also ignited a movement for change.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The nascent nature of the company prevented the sharks from investing in it.
1 day ago
Harvey seemed quite annoyed after the guest revealed her surprise and rightfully so.
2 days ago
Both Rick and his son Corey had a lot of luaghs while talking about this item for obvious reasons.
2 days ago
She was just happe to be with Drew Carey on stage, and perhaps did not expect such a big win.
2 days ago
The segment started with a couple of people entering the stage wearing cakes over their heads.
2 days ago
The valuation he asked for was as crazy as the outfit he wore, and the sharks said no.
2 days ago
The contestant's answer had no lewd intention but Steve Harvey made sure it did.
3 days ago
Fans of the gameshow are known to be vocal about their needs and this was just an example of that.
3 days ago
The guest stood firm at what he wanted and Harrison was forced to raise his low-ball offer.
3 days ago
The contestant was confident in his abilities and he steered his team to an impressive win.
3 days ago
The sharks could not believe what they had just witnessed but it sure was entertaining.
4 days ago
The guest said that she wanted $15,000 but had to settle for just a couple grand.
4 days ago
Fans of the show were shocked she was not able to get it right after coming so close.
4 days ago
Corcoran was confident that the entrepreneur would take her deal but that was not the case.
5 days ago
The host's expressions upon seeing the answers on the board were absolutely priceless.
5 days ago
The guest was a friend of the Harrisons and he turned out to be quite the negotiator.
5 days ago
The guest had an item that was presumably made in the pre-1800s era, which made it valuable.
6 days ago
She had asked for $250,000 when she came and she walked away with close to $400,000.
7 days ago
The showrunners must have had a storm on their hands when they were called out.
7 days ago
Steve Harvey burst out laughing when he heard that answer, as was the case in much of the round.
7 days ago