Colruyt Group has once again been recognised by Fairtrade Belgium as a Fairtrade Frontrunner. The retailer thereby reaffirms its strong commitment to fair trade and sustainable value chains, and demonstrates that it is possible for a market player to make a structural impact.
For the fourth year running, Fairtrade Belgium has published its Frontrunners Scorecard, a tool that assesses partner companies’ performance in the area of Fairtrade. The aim is to encourage companies to scale up their commitment further and thus contribute to a more sustainable food sector.
The Fairtrade Frontrunner Awards are presented based on various criteria. These include:
- The volume of Fairtrade products, expressed in terms of the Fairtrade premium — an additional amount that goes directly to producer organisations for collective investments such as infrastructure, healthcare and training;
- The extent to which companies highlight Fairtrade through their communications;
- Initiatives going beyond Fairtrade certification that deliver further social, environmental or economic benefits;
- And the volume of Fairtrade coffee consumed within the services of recognised Fair Trade Towns in Flanders.
Strong performance in the ‘Beyond Certification’ category
In the ‘Beyond Certification’ category, Colruyt Group has taken first place for the third year running. The retailer stands out by going beyond the basic requirements of Fairtrade and actively investing in structural solutions. Whilst Fairtrade already guarantees a minimum price and premium, Colruyt is committed to tackling the underlying causes of poverty.
A key priority is ensuring a living income for producers, with a particular focus on cocoa and bananas. In 2025, Colruyt Group generated a Fairtrade premium of €307,774, which contributes to tangible improvements for producer communities worldwide.
The Boni cocoa programme in Côte d’Ivoire illustrates this approach. In addition to the Fairtrade price, at least the reference price for a living income is paid, combined with long-term commitments and support for productivity and quality. These initiatives also strengthen the position of women and contribute to the well-being of children in the communities involved.
A broad and structural approach
In addition to these initiatives, Colruyt Group is also strongly committed to promoting more sustainable value chains through collaboration and raising awareness. The group actively participates in sector initiatives such as Beyond Chocolate and contributes to knowledge-sharing through, amongst other things, webinars and other communication initiatives.
“It is actually inconceivable that, in 2026, we still have a choice between cocoa that meets the ‘living income’ threshold and that which does not. A living income should be the minimum standard, not a matter of choice. That is what we are working towards by 2030. This is a shift that Colruyt Group cannot make alone: we are proud that, thanks to the steps we have already taken, we can be pioneers and set a good example for our industry peers, both at home and abroad. The aim must be for all stakeholders operating in Belgium to soon be able to stand together on the stage, because ultimately this is not about a battle amongst ourselves, but about a shared goal of being able to give cocoa farmers what we consider to be a matter of course”, said Davy De Cooman, chocolate buyer at Colruyt Group.
The full Frontrunners Scorecard and the rankings can be viewed on the Fairtrade Belgium website.
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