Thrillers and Suspense
According to the ICCO, Indonesia’s cocoa production for the current year will be even smaller than previously predicted. In February, the organization predicted a total production of 510,000 tons. Now the estimate cited numbers “well below 500,000 tons.”
Cocoa news just keeps getting worse. After a less than stellar production for the main season in Africa, several predictions claim that future output will also be lower than expected.
Here’s a sweet little animation from my favorite chocolate maker.
Blommer Chocolate Company is the latest manufacturer to jump on the sustainability bandwagon. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re probably not alone. Blommer, like Wilbur Chocolate and Peter’s Chocolate (both now part of Cargill) are bulk chocolate manufacturers who sell their product to other manufacturers, chocolatiers, bakers, etc. Blommer is the largest bulk chocolate manufacturer in North America.
According to the press release, Blommer will partner with the Rainforest Alliance to produce a line of RA certified premium cocoa and chocolate products. A standard certified line will be added later. The press release did not indicate the quantity or percentage of certified cocoa to be sourced this way. In other words, we don’t know if this will remain just one product line or if Blommer plans to convert more of their line to certified cocoa. Continue reading “Sustainability … It’s The Latest Thing”
I’ve written before about the aging population of cocoa farmers, particularly in Africa where most cocoa is grown. The farmers I met in Ghana all told me that young people rather go to the cities than stay on the cocoa farm. Now a report from Nigeria’s Oyo State confirms this impression.
