UTZ CERTIFIED Largest Supplier of Certified Coffee Worldwide

By Utz Certified Foundation, PRNE
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

AMSTERDAM, April 14, 2011 - In the first quarter of 2011 almost 40,000 metric tons of UTZ
CERTIFIED Good Inside coffee was sold, an increase of 25% compared to the
same period last year. The high volume of the first quarter is a continuation
of the growth path in 2010 when in total 121,000 metric tons of UTZ CERTIFIED
coffee was sold and 304,000 metric tons certified, a growth of almost 50%
compared to the year before. This makes UTZ CERTIFIED the largest
sustainability program for coffee in the world.

According to UTZ CERTIFIED, one of the main reasons for the
growth in certified demand is the approach of the program. The Codes for
coffee, cocoa and tea meet the requirements set by the market and at the same
time UTZ CERTIFIED analyzes the major problem areas for farmers on issues
that have the most impact on productivity and sustainability. This set-up
demonstrates that corporate social responsibility does in fact have an
(economical) value for both environment and farmers in origin as well as
companies in buying countries.

Supply certified cocoa growing strong

Besides coffee farmers, UTZ CERTIFIED also trains cocoa
farmers to become professional and responsible entrepreneurs. The supply of
sustainably produced cocoa will grow strongly in the coming period because of
the growing number of UTZ CERTIFIED cocoa farmers worldwide. Now, cocoa
producers have already been certified in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Papua New
Guinea
, Ecuador, Vietnam, Nigeria, Uganda, Congo, Peru, Dominican Republic
and Tanzania.

UTZ CERTIFIED launches Code of Conduct for Rooibos

An important step was taken in making the tea sector more
sustainable; UTZ CERTIFIED launched the Code of Conduct for Rooibos. This is
the first internationally accepted standard that is specifically developed
for mainstream sustainable Rooibos. All four producers and two processors
that were included in the pilot projects have been certified.

Independence of farmers strengthened

At this moment, over 160,000 smallholders and estates in
coffee, tea and cocoa have been UTZ CERTIFIED. This means the independent
position of many farmers has been strengthened. Farmers are trained in the
professionalization of their agricultural practices and operational
management. This improves the quality of the product and allows them to
produce higher volumes at lower costs. This in turn enables farmers to
negotiate a better price for a better product and with this improve their
standard of living. Moreover, farmers who work with UTZ CERTIFIED in the
global marketplace receive a premium for their crop and they don't have to
pay for taking part in the program.

More information about UTZ CERTIFIED: www.utzcertified.org.

Note to the editors. Not for publication.
UTZ CERTIFIED published the annual report 2010. If you wish to receive a
copy of this report, or have any questions regarding the content of the press
release, please contact PR manager Stephanie de Hoogh through: E: Stephanie.de.hoogh at utzcertified.org or T: +31(0)6-24-88-67-61

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