Puratos Philippines is boasting of the unique quality of cacao/chocolates coming out of the Davao region. The company recently told reports that they will carry the ‘single origin’ brand in the marketplace throughout Belgium and the world.
Spokesperson for the company said “you will see that in the market soon. It is also available in the local market.”
The company spokesperson said that the company believe in the potential of Davao chocolates to compete squarely with other chocolate-producing countries in the world as it has a unique and fruity flavor.
The company said it will initially take in eight tons of dried beans a month, which will be shipped to their processing plant in Vietnam.
“We are already on the testing stage. We are giving samples to the manufacturers. If these are all approved, we will start importing and processing chocolates in Vietnam and supply these to exporters who in turn will distribute them worldwide,” said the spokesperson.
The company noted that Davao will be added to the list of ‘single origin’ chocolates from around the world, the current company list is:
- Peru
- Venezuela
- Ivory Coast (West Africa)
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
The company noted that their products were present in over 100 countries around the world.
The produces are said to benefit over 100 farmers from the local area.
“The Puratos is working very hard to make us a part of the international community of cacao producers. There is a certain accreditation required, they are working closely with Cidami – how to do the process of fermentation, so that in the world stage when you talk about Philippines they can recognize us,” the company said.
The company also said that farmers throughout the region must improve their husbandry and fermentation processes to keep up with demand, taste and overall company satisfaction.
The Belgium based company has not released any news on opening a manufacturing center in Davao, but rumours have suggested that may happen sometime in the next few years.
Officials noted that 70 per cent of the cacao in the Philippines comes from the Davao Region – saying that about 21,000 hectares have been planted with cacao trees.