Ivory coast cocoa plant
Puratos, a global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate products, has inaugurated a cocoa collection and fermentation plant in San Pedro province in Ivory Coast.
Created in partnership with the French chocolate maker, Cémoi, this confirms Puratos’ strong commitment to long-term sustainability of Ivorian cocoa.
The official opening ceremony of the cocoa collection and fermentation plant (CCFP), took place on the site near Adjamené village and was attended by about 400 farmers from the co-operative, Puratos, Cémoi teams and local dignitaries.
“Through this partnership of two family-owned companies, Cémoi and Puratos team up to reinforce the cocoa network in Ivory Coast. This commitment is in line with the Cémoi sustainability vision to promote a traceable aromatic cocoa with respect for the people who grow it and the environment where they live,” says Patrick Poirrier, president of the Cémoi Group.
The first Puratos cocoa collection and fermentation plant was opened in November 2013 in Vietnam. Ivory Coast is the logical location for a second plant; the country, the world’s largest grower, will produce 1.55 million tons of cocoa in 2014/2015 according to ICCO (the International Cocoa Organisation). In doing so, Puratos will help accelerate the development of the sustainable cocoa supply chain, encouraging direct contacts with farmers communities to ensure full traceability for better livelihoods.
M Eddy Van Belle, chairman of the board of Puratos Group, says: “Puratos believes sustainability is a win-win relationship for every actor in the cocoa supply chain, from the farmers to the consumers. Through better productivity, quality and returns to farmers, community development is improved, farmers are empowered and continue to grow cocoa, and chocolate can be enjoyed for many years to come. As a medium-sized user of cocoa beans and cocoa products from all over the world, Puratos Group is keen on securing future supplies of high-quality cocoa beans processed as part of a sustainable system.”
The CCFP is a community centre and post-harvest centre. Farmers from the co-operative can bring their wet beans for fermentation, drying and bagging for export. By handling the post-harvest process, Puratos gains full control over the quality of the cocoa products, to guarantee a constant taste profile of its chocolates solutions. In return, the farmers get a better income, as well as find support services offered by Puratos such as training.
“Through our work with Cémoi, we believe Ivory Coast can produce great quality cocoa,” continues M Van Belle. “That is why we provide training focused on quality management, as a good chocolate cannot be made without the best cocoa beans.”
The CCFP also has a social role for local communities. It provides the centre with access to electricity and drinkable water through the installation of a drilling system. This initiative will improve the livelihoods of families around and ensure good working conditions for the workers of the centre.
