Page 21 - IB May 2025

Agriculture

Cream of the crop …. Vanuatu farmer with world-class cocoa plants. Photo: World Vision

WE’RE IN DEMAND

WORLD DEMANDS QUALITY COCOA

Consumers are willing to pay top dollar for quality product – After the training, suppliers’ pre- and post-harvest handling
especially decadent chocolates and coffee. of cacao improved, leading to a quality supply, and a better
To boost its sales, Gaston Chocolat improved its production end product and prices.
facilities and food safety certification, and set its sights on “It will also enable the chocolate manufacturer to
Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. get additional food certifications and unlock the access
The decision was clear – make a premium product and to markets such as cruise ship companies and overseas
demand premium prices. distributors,” Fernandez said.
To make that possible, Gaston Chocolat of Port Vila will set “It is also expected to have a positive impact on the
up a new processing facility worth AU$150,000 to meet HACCP perception of the finished product by the consumers, who
(Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) standards and boost will make informed choices in supporting fair, ethic, and
production. environmentally friendly products through the B-corp
It is estimated that up to 300 cocoa farmers on Santo, certification - a progressive label which covers a range of
Malekula, and Epi now benefit from the new plant, which will socially responsible commitments such as gender balance and
produce 100,000 chocolate bars per annum in Port Vila. equity.’’
Gaston Chocolat funded 80% of the development. Gaston Chocolat ensures that a minimum of 60% of its
PHAMA Plus—funded by the Australian and New Zealand workforce is made up of women who earn salaries equal to
governments—helped cocoa suppliers improve export market those of their male colleagues. Under the project, 15% of the
volumes and value by training them to achieve HACCP budget has been allocated to enabling actions which empower
certification. women.
Olivier Fernandez of Gaston Chocolat said the training The Vanuatu project—through the redesign of packaging—
allowed for construction and advancement of cocoa industry will enable improved shipping by air and sea.
infrastructure development.

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