Improving farmer wellbeing is central to sustainable cocoa value chains, yet little is known about the mechanisms through which private sustainability strategies generate such effects. Drawing on justice theory, this study analyses how distributive, procedural, and recognition justice shape farmer wellbeing within cooperatives, corporate sustainability programmes, and social enterprises. Using process tracing and mixed data from three cases in the Peruvian Amazon, the results show that governance practices perceived as fair across these justice dimensions enhance farmers’ wellbeing, satisfaction, and commitment. Distributive justice emerges as particularly important, and farmers tend to hold cooperatives to higher fairness expectations than private companies.

Decommodification through fine flavour cacao (FFC) offers opportunities for more sustainable and differentiated cacao markets but also risks excluding smallholder producers who cannot meet stricter quality, environmental, and social standards. Based on interviews with 76 buyers and surveys of 337 farmers in Cusco and Piura, the study maps producer and buyer types and evaluates how well their requirements align. While some farmers are well positioned for FFC markets, many face significant gaps—particularly in bean quality, zero-deforestation and agroforestry practices, and women’s participation. Supporting institutions and trading arrangements are essential to help vulnerable producers benefit from an increasingly diversified, high-quality cacao sector.

This CDE article reviews how global coffee markets have evolved over the past quarter century, tracing the sector’s shift from severe price crises to today’s historically high market values. It highlights structural drivers behind price volatility, the growing influence of major traders, and the implications for smallholder farmers in producing countries. The piece offers an accessible overview of long-term trends in a key tropical commodity that remains central to many agricultural livelihoods worldwide.

At the COP30 climate conference in Belém, FiBL underscores that agriculture must play a central role in addressing the climate crisis. Organic and agroecological approaches—such as humus formation, improved fertiliser management, agroforestry and adapted herd management—offer concrete pathways to strengthen climate resilience worldwide.

FiBL presented three research examples at its online COP30 side event, featuring results from carbon farming in Switzerland, agroforestry in the Sahel (Mali and Senegal), and emission reduction strategies in the Swiss dairy sector. This contribution brings Swiss and international research directly into global climate discussions.

The Research Partnership Grant (RPG) supports Swiss-based researchers in launching joint projects with partners from nine South Asian countries. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions and borders, the RPG enables teams to test innovative ideas, gather preliminary data, and lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation.