Dutch confectioner Tony's Chocolonely saw a record turnover of €150 million for the financial year 2022-2023, nearly a quarter higher than the previous year 23.2%.
In Belgium alone, sales surged by 41%, according to an annual report published on Tuesday.
Tony's Chocolonely was founded in 2005, following an investigation into exploitation within the cocoa industry.
The investigation revealed that the chocolate production chain is often unevenly distributed, with dominating chocolate producers purchasing cocoa at extremely low prices, maintaining cocoa farmers in poverty.
Dutch journalist Teun van de Keuken (Tony) discovered that as a result of this, a significant portion of global chocolate consumption originated from forced labour cocoa harvests, including child labour.
Subsequently, he decided to start his own chocolate company and produce 100% slave-free chocolate. The company does so by building long-term relationships with their cocoa dealers, developing fairer price agreements and training their farmers to grow a better harvest.
On top of this, the 2022-2023 report also showcases efforts made by the Dutch confectioner to reduce their climate impact. Highlighting their 90% recyclable packaging and the compensating of their carbon footprint.
Since 2023, over half the shares in Tony's Chocolonely have been owned by the Belgian Spoelberch family, one of the leading families at the helm of AB InBev.
