Mars & Pairwise Team Up to Supercharge Sustainable Cocoa

In a recent article in Sustainability Magazine, Mars detailed its partnership with biotech innovator Pairwise to accelerate cacao research and development using the CRISPR-based Fulcrum gene-editing platform.

Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform combines gene editing, AI, and deep scientific expertise to speed up development of optimal crop traits. Mars plans to use this technology to improve cocoa production—boosting resilience to climate impacts, disease pressure, and aging trees. The goal is to build supply chains that are stronger, quicker to adapt, and more sustainable.

Many cocoa-producing regions, especially in West Africa, are facing drought, disease, and low yields, making future supply uncertain. Mars hopes that Fulcrum’s precision tools will help cacao trees grow faster, yield more reliably, and withstand environmental stress—helping stabilize chocolate supply for years to come.

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