On Thursday, Shares of Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ), gained 0.54% to $44.98.
Mondelez International, declared the expansion of its Cocoa Life program in Côte d’Ivoire. In line with its commitment to empower 200,000 farmers and invest $400 million in Côte d’Ivoire and five other cocoa origins by 2022, Mondelēz International will partner with Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products, and Solidaridad, international development NGO, to scale up the implementing capacity of its holistic Cocoa Life program.
“This new partnership will allow us to quickly double the number of farmers we reach in Côte d’Ivoire in just two years from 2014,” said Cathy Pieters, Director of Cocoa Life at Mondelēz International. “Their complementary expertise will support our objectives of creating thriving cocoa communities while ensuring sustainable cocoa production.”
Barry Callebaut and Solidaridad will work hand in hand on the ground. Barry Callebaut will provide farmers with agricultural training and access to inputs to improve cocoa productivity and incomes, while Solidaridad will work together with the cocoa communities to design tailored community action plans and implement actions to strengthen livelihoods, empower women and promote children’s rights.
Cocoa Life’s holistic approach is already making progress in Côte d’Ivoire. Innovative actions like the setting up of Village and Loans Associations promote women’s practical financial literacy and access to lending, while farmer trainings support cocoa productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Mondelez International, Inc., through its auxiliaries, manufactures and markets snack food and beverage products worldwide. The company offers biscuits, counting cookies, crackers, and salted snacks; chocolates, and gums and candies; powdered beverages and coffee; and cheese and grocery products.
On other hand, Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO) traded on a volume of 7,314,482, lower than its standard daily volume.
The stock gained 0.56% and closed the trade at $57.87.
The stock, as of recent close, has shown weekly upbeat performance of 2.66% which was maintained at 21.19% in this year. Over the last twelve months, the stock has gained 32.51% and faced a worst price of $44.64 on Oct 17, 2014. The stock has moved down across its 50-day moving average of $54.61.
Altria Group, Inc., through its auxiliaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States and internationally. It offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars principally under the Black & Mild brand; and moist smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky, and Marlboro Snus brand names.
