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Our Cacao-Trace Sustainable Cocoa program helps build a truly sustainable future for chocolate and cocoa-based products and everyone involved. At Cacao-Trace, we master the fermentation process to ensure our chocolate and cocoa-based products have a great taste. Dooing good is our focus so Cacao-Trace farmers benefit from the value they create.
Mastering the fermentation process
From carefully selecting quality wet beans to expert fermentation and efficient drying & roasting, we're committed to excellence at every step. We select high-quality wet beans, pre-sorted & screened by Cacao-Trace certified farmers which leads to a quality premium. We build our own Post-Harvest Centres, with professional fermentation equipment with optimized wooden box fermenters, optimized process and train Cacao-Trace fermentation masters. We also invest in efficient sun dryers and roasting equipment and define optimized processes managed by experts to deliver the highest quality cocoa beans.
Doing good is our focus
Our Cacao-Trace Sustainable Cocoa Program helps build a truly sustainable future for chocolate and cocoa-based products and everyone involved. Farmers Through our Quality Premium and Chocolate Bonus, we ensure our Cacao-Trace farmers enjoy better revenue, with an additional 2 to 5 months of income. Education is at the heart of our commitment. We support farmers' families by building schools, and creating the right educational environment. We also prioritize better health conditions with the construction of maternities and installations to ensure access to drinkable water.
The Planet We support agroforestry and reforestation and work to reduce CO2 in cocoa farming.
Consumers In line with consumers’ trends, we commit to offering them enjoyment with peace of mind.
Customers We offer better, sustainable business to leverage on, thanks to a superior taste, and a tangible impact.
"One of the most enlightening parts of our trip was meeting the team from Puratos West Africa. Whilst in the Ivory Coast, one of our guides was Jean. Jean's father was a cocoa farmer, and he grew up on the plantation, which his family still owns and runs today. At the age of six, Jean left his family to live with his uncle and continue his education. Jean now works for Puratos West Africa, specifically with the Cacao-Trace programme, to improve the quality of cacao and the lives of the farmers and villagers. Hearing Jean’s story, understanding the sacrifices he and his family made, and seeing how he is now working to help his people and community was truly touching. Not everyone will have the same opportunity that Jean did, which highlights the importance of the Cacao-Trace programme in building schools and ensuring all children receive a basic education." Marketing Manager, Henley Bridge Ingredients
Our sustainable standards
Building confidence through transparency is essential. We adhere to rigorous sustainability standards to ensure that our practices benefit both the environment and the cocoa farming communities.
The Cacao-Trace standard is built on a rigorous three-year verification cycle, including initial, surveillance, and re-verification audits. These external audits, conducted by Control Union, on annual basis to ensure unbiased feedback and high-quality cocoa production.
Our commitment to continuous improvement makes the Cacao-Trace standard unique. It evolves through insights from ground programs, auditor suggestions, due diligence, market priorities, and global initiatives like the Cocoa Forest Initiative and regulatory compliance such as EUDR.
This dynamic approach ensures we consistently deliver excellence and sustainability in cocoa farming.
Creating value through Great Taste
Our approach enhances cocoa flavour and quality at every step. The extra value created from this higher quality is shared with cocoa farming communities, creating a sustainable future for cocoa and delivering exceptional taste to chocolate lovers.
The better the beans, the better the chocolate
At each step of the bean processing, we apply our four-pillar strategy. We define high-quality standards, develop adapted professional equipment, define the right process, and empower local people for a long-term impact.
High-Quality Standards
Professional Equipment
Optimized Process
Empowered People
Sun-drying
At Cacao-Trace, we go beyond conventional drying methods by ensuring beans are professionally dried in our advanced post-harvest centres. We invest in efficient, hygienic sun dryers managed by Cacao-Trace experts, ensuring an optimized drying process of 6-11 days to maintain the highest quality beans. Our strict Dry Cocoa guidelines ensure the beans’ highest quality, flavour, and preservation.
Low Roasting
We redefine the roasting process with gentle, customized techniques. By adjusting the temperature and duration for each cocoa bean origin, we maximize their unique qualities, setting a new standard for quality and flavour in the chocolate industry.
Great Taste, Doing Good
The additional value created from our high-quality Cacao-Trace cocoa is distributed back to the farmers through initiatives like the Quality Premium and the Chocolate Bonus, making a life-changing impact.
