Every February 14th, millions of people exchange chocolates as a token of love, indulging in the silky, bittersweet luxury that has become synonymous with Valentine’s Day. But beneath the glossy wrappers and heart-shaped boxes lies an uncomfortable truth: the chocolate industry is built on systemic exploitation, keeping cocoa farmers trapped in poverty while multinational corporations rake in billions.

Take Kofi*, a cocoa farmer in Côte d’Ivoire. He has been growing cocoa for over 20 years, just as his father did before him. Every day, Kofi tends to his small plot of land with the hope that this year’s harvest will be enough to feed his family and send his children to school. But despite his consistent work, Kofi earns just a fraction of what his cocoa is worth. When any branded chocolate block sells for $2, Kofi might be lucky to earn 12 cents. His annual income ranges between $1,400 and $2,000—amounting to less than a dollar a day. Despite chocolate prices increasing by 14% in one year alone (global average), Kofi’s has not seen the benefit of this.

This disparity extends beyond West Africa. In the Pacific, where cocoa is grown in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, smallholder farmers face similar struggles. The region’s cocoa, known for its high quality and unique flavours, should be a valuable export, yet farmers remain at the mercy of fluctuating global “commodity” prices and middlemen who take the largest cut of profits. Many Pacific farmers, like their counterparts in Africa, earn barely enough to sustain their families, despite consumer awareness to purchase ethically sourced chocolate.

The Cost of Cheap Chocolate
The grim reality of chocolate production extends far beyond low wages. In Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire—the two largest cocoa-producing countries—economic desperation forces many small-scale farmers to rely on child labour to meet demand. Kofi has seen this firsthand. Some of his neighbours, unable to afford hired labour, have no choice but to put their own children to work. Between January 2014 and January 2024, Morningstar Sustainalytics recorded 612 human rights violations in food supply chains, with a staggering 27% of them involving child labour on cocoa farms.

In the Pacific, while child labour is less prevalent, other challenges persist. Poor infrastructure, limited market access, and climate change make cocoa farming an increasingly risky livelihood. Rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns threaten production, yet farmers receive little support in adapting to these environmental shifts. Without fair pricing structures and climate-resilient farming programs, Pacific cocoa farmers face an uncertain future.

A System Stacked Against Farmers
Even well-intended policies have failed to improve conditions for cocoa farmers. Fairtrade and sustainability programs exist, but they often fall short of ensuring liveable incomes. While certifications like Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance promise ethical sourcing, they rarely guarantee that farmers receive a meaningful share of profits. Instead, companies often use these labels for marketing while maintaining business models that prioritize shareholders over suppliers.

Furthermore, price volatility in the cocoa market leaves farmers vulnerable to economic swings. Unlike corporations that can absorb price fluctuations, small-scale farmers bear the full weight of market crashes. A poor harvest, unexpected costs, or a drop in global cocoa prices can mean the difference between survival and starvation for Kofi and his family.

In the Pacific, farmers are also disadvantaged by the remoteness of their islands. Many rely on intermediaries to sell their cocoa, which reduces their earnings further. Without direct access to international markets, they remain trapped in an unfair system that prioritizes corporate profit over farmer well-being.

The Illusion of Ethical Chocolate
Consumers are often misled into believing that purchasing “sustainably sourced” chocolate means they’re supporting ethical business practices. But behind many of these labels, the reality is murky. Major chocolate companies continue to resist meaningful reform while using PR campaigns to suggest they’re taking action. Meanwhile, the actual conditions for cocoa farmers remain dire.

The hard truth is that most of the chocolate sold in stores today is tainted by exploitation. Until real economic justice is achieved, no amount of glossy branding can change that.

What Can Be Done?
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such a vast and entrenched system, but consumer pressure has proven to be a powerful force for change. Here’s what we can do:

1. Support Ethical Brands – Seek out chocolate companies that prioritise direct trade and transparent, fair wages for farmers.

2. Hold Corporations Accountable – Push for greater transparency in supply chains. Demand that chocolate giants disclose how much they pay farmers and whether they’re taking steps to eliminate child labour.

3. Advocate for Policy Change – Support legislation that ensures fair wages and stronger protections for cocoa farmers.

4. Support Pacific Cocoa Farmers – Buy chocolate made from Pacific cocoa, where direct trade initiatives and community-led programs aim to ensure farmers receive a fairer share. Pacific cocoa has the potential to be a high-value product, but only if consumers and businesses prioritise ethical sourcing from the region.

5. Educate and Spread Awareness – Many people simply don’t know where their chocolate comes from or the human cost behind it. Sharing this information can help create a more conscious consumer base.

This Valentine’s Day it is worth pausing to think about the hidden cost behind each bite. Kofi and farmers like him don’t need charity—they need a fair price for their work. And so do cocoa farmers across the Pacific.

Love should never be built on exploitation. A truly sweet Valentine’s Day would be one where the hands that grow our cocoa are valued, respected, and paid fairly.

If we demand change, the chocolate industry can no longer ignore the bitter truth. It’s time to choose fairness over convenience—because justice, after all, should never be optional.

Take Action
At the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education, we advocate and support initiatives that promote social and economic justice. Follow us, subscribe to our updates, or donate to support our work in ensuring that farmers and workers around the world receive the dignity and fairness they deserve. Together, we can create a world where love—and chocolate—are truly sweet for everyone.
*Kofi is a based on a typical cocoa farmer.