Globalization: Chocolate

The top map shows the 1st, 2nd and 3rd

world countries. The bottom map
shows where Chocolate is grown.
What do you notice?
 HowThisChocolate isandmade:
flowchart, in black white, represents the process of making
Chocolate. This flowchart is produced by Nestle Chocolate. Which step are
Chocolate pods grow on trees. After harvest,
they missing in their flow chart? Why might they purposefully leave it out?
the pods are cracked open and the
Chocolate beans are separated. These beans
are sent to manufacturers all over the world,
who then turn bitter Chocolate beans into
delicious chocolate candies.
Chocolate farmers
Most chocolate is grown along the equator, in 3rd world nations. As a result, Chocolate companies can pay
extremely low wages to their workers. Additionally, because the economy is not well regulated in these 3rd
world nations there are many allegations of child workers, forced labor and increasingly unsafe work
environments.
Human Trafficking
In many areas of the world, children are forced to work on the chocolate farms. These children work
for little pay. Some the children work for no pay, after being kidnapped from their homes, or tricked
to join the Chocolate industry.
The Dark Side of Chocolate
Companies will always take advantage of economies that don’t protect workers wages and work conditions for
the sake of profit. It is a sad reality.
Fair Trade
Many companies can still make a profit by selling chocolate that is grown with fair business practices. The cost
is slightly higher to the consumers, but if demand for Fair trade items were to grow, the cost could potential
drop. The only way to get the BIG chocolate companies to change is to force the change through boycotts.
Benefits to Fair Trade Chocolate
There are many fair trade companies in the world today,
1) No Child Labor
who use local artisans, chocolatiers and farmers to produce
2) Health Benefits (like all chocolate)
economically beneficial products:
3) More cocoa in your chocolate
-Ten Thousand Villages
4) Environmental sustainability
-Fair Trade Winds
5) Giving back through every purchase
 The Other side…
Fair trade sounds really good: Get higher wages to the poorest workers and stop exploiting their labor. Unfortunately,
that doesn’t always work. There are many proponents of Free Trade OVER Fair trade.
Your turn
Consider all of the information we have so far and make a decisions. Free Trade or
Fair trade for Global economic health. Defend your answer.

3-4 PARAGRAPHS You may use a computer/ phone to learn more about each. Cite
your sources.