Airbus Satellites Power Barry Callebaut’s Cocoa Supply Chain

Airbus Defence and Space is partnering with global chocolate and cocoa manufacturer Barry Callebaut to support the development of deforestation-free supply chains.

Through the use of real-time satellite insights, Airbus is assisting Barry Callebaut in monitoring its resources and ensuring its operations are not causing environmental harm.

This collaboration could allow Barry Callebaut to maintain the integrity of its supply chain and react with agility to any demands.

The partnership utilises a geospatial solution called Starling that was developed in a venture between Airbus and the Earthworm Foundation.

This technology uses satellite imagery to monitor agricultural supply chains and provide data on changes to forest cover.

It is designed to provide companies with accurate and actionable data to help them engage with suppliers, mitigate risks and ensure their own compliance.

Satellite monitoring across the cocoa supply chain

As a defence and space manufacturing subsidiary of Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space works to create sustainable aerospace.

Barry Callebaut, a global chocolate and cocoa manufacturer, implements sustainable solutions across its manufacturing processes and has made commitments to sustainable sourcing through its Forever Chocolate programme.

The collaboration involves Airbus' satellite-based deforestation monitoring across Barry Callebaut's entire cocoa supply chain.

It will use the Starling solution to monitor plantations that could lead to a comprehensive risk assessment across Barry Callebaut's global operations.

“Beyond being a trusted, data-driven solution provider, Airbus is a strategic partner for Barry Callebaut in monitoring deforestation risks,” says Juliette Cody, Director for Global Sustainability Programs at Barry Callebaut.

Juliette explains that the insights from Starling have become a key component of Barry Callebaut's strategy: “The insights provided by Starling have become a cornerstone of our strategy to advance our forest-positive commitments.”

AI-powered insights and risk mitigation

The Starling solution provides Barry Callebaut with information on all its cocoa plots by automatically analysing its supply chain data.

It produces detailed land-cover maps that can differentiate between natural forest, agroforestry plantations and other land types.

This process could reduce the number of false positive alerts.

It uses AI-powered algorithms to continuously monitor changes within forest cover to spot emerging deforestation issues and provide conversion alerts that could breach the company's regulations or forest policy.

Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space, adds: “We are pleased to support Barry Callebaut through the Starling solution, providing optical satellite imagery at various resolutions ranging from 10m to Pléiades Neo’s 30cm resolution. With real eyes in the sky, satellite imagery empowers organisations to make informed decisions and maintain transparency across global supply chains.”

Actionable data for sustainability goals

By gaining these insights, Barry Callebaut can be aware of its cocoa supply, allowing it to change strategy and plan.

The use of satellite imagery gives Barry Callebaut visibility into its resource capabilities and the sustainability of its work.

This could mean it can act responsibly and mitigate future risk by taking necessary action. Starling uses high-resolution satellite imagery at the plot level, which allows for thorough evidence verification and could prevent the need for field investigations.

The solution also conducts risk assessments to identify at-risk areas using information from historical land use and practices.

Starling offers reliable real-time data insights to its users, meaning that Barry Callebaut can make informed decisions that enable it to meet its sustainability goals effectively.