BOLIVIA

Globally unique wild cacao is a niche product. Wild cacao is usually gathered by indigenous families of the community of Baure who regularly travel to the collection areas by foot, boat, or motorbike. They divide the work amongst themselves, harvesting, fermenting, and drying the wild cacao together directly in the rain forest.

COSTA RICA

«Finca la Amistad» relies on an ecological and diversified cultivation method. The unwavering belief is that a healthy ecosystem is essential for the quality of the cacao and which in turn leads to the protection of the rich biodiversity on the farm and in the region.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In 1889, Swiss emigrants founded the Elvesia estate in the north-east of the Dominican Republic. Cacao beans of the predominantly Criollo variety were grown on the largest cultivated area in the Caribbean at the time and the colloquial name of the estate is still referred to as the «Hacienda Elvesia». Since 2006, Max Felchlin AG has been working with the hacienda, which employs around 30 people and is efficiently run by long-standing manager Ramon Lopez.

ECUADOR

In Ecuador, we have a long-standing partnership with two cooperatives: APROCANE is an association of around 300 cocoa producers in the north of Ecuador, in the province of Esmeraldas. Kallari is an associative, integrative organisation of around 850 small farmers from the Tena region in the province of Napo on the eastern side of the Andes in Ecuador.

ENTLEBUCH

In co-operation with the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, we obtain the high-quality meadow milk from the biosphere area exclusively for the production of the fine mountain meadow milk couvertures. Farmers in Entlebuch produce their meadow milk conscientiously and with loyalty to their region. In accordance with the longstanding regional tradition, the cows will graze in fields of fresh grass in summer and then are fed the same grass that has been dried in the sun in the winter. The quality, natural feed is thereby reflected in the high quality of the milk. Treatment of the animals is also as in harmony with nature: regular freedom to roam and a limited number of cows in the barn ensure they feel at ease.

GHANA

Ghana is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea and has played a significant role in the cacao trade for many years now. Ghana is now the world’s second largest cacao producer and cacao is the nation’s largest agricultural export. Around 800,000 farming families acquire a livelihood from farming cacao and its associated activities. Yayra Glover Ltd. is a company that places considerable value on ethical standards. Environmental protection, health and the farmers’ economic welfare are paramount.

GRENADA

We have been sourcing cacao from Grenada since 2006. Over 7000 farmers cultivate cacao throughout the island and they are organised by the Grenada Cocoa Association, which is managed by Andrew Hastick. He is responsible for quality control, ensuring the availability of cacao and organising its export.

COLOMBIA

In the Tumaco region which is located in the south-west of Colombia, lies the Cortepaz cooperative which consists of around 290 farming families who are originally of African descent. The cooperative analyses and confronts the challenges of cacao cultivation. Cortepaz aims to reorganise the production environment in Tumaco and provide a sustainable source of income for the partner families with for instance, renewing the cacao plantations with ‚patrimonial‘ cacao plants to improve productivity.

MADAGASCAR

Madagascar plays a significant role in the world market as an exporter of high quality cacao, although its share is relatively small compared to other countries. The reason for this is that Madagascar cacao enjoys an excellent reputation due to its unique flavour profiles. The intense and aromatic fruit and floral notes make it one of the highest quality cacao in the world.

Sambirano SA works locally with the cooperatives Sambirano Mateza and Bio Sambirano, which represent around 945 farming families. They are located in the Sambirano region, which takes its name from the river of the same name that flows through the region. The cooperatives grow cacao on around 1000 hectares according to the strictest quality and sustainability criteria.

SÃO TOMÉ

São Tomé and Príncipe is an independent island nation in the Gulf of Guinea situated on the equator and lying approximately 200 km off the coast of Africa. Due to the island’s remoteness, the fine cacao variety Forastero Amelonado has been retained in its original form on São Tomé. We purchase our cacao from the company Satocao. The company was founded in 2010 by Swiss and European investors with its aim being to promote cacao cultivation sustainably in the country and to restore the significance that it previously held for the island nation.

VENEZUELA

Venezuelan cacao is still regarded as among some of the best in the world, where it flourishes in the nutrient-rich soils of the foothills of the Andes, in abundant, humid, and moisture heavy vegetation. Our partner, Casa Franceschi, is a highly integrated cacao sourcing firm, and works harmoniously with farmers across Latin America. They cultivate close relationships with their customers, providing tailormade, high-quality products that meet the needs of the world’s finest chocolatiers.