From Bali to Madagascar, Brazil to Ghana and the Dominican Republic to Peru – our sourcers only settle for the world's finest cacao beans. Over time, they have built enduring one-on-one relationships with local growers, who have shared invaluable industry expertise. This long-lasting alliance with growers constantly expands our knowledge of cacao. It has also given us the know-how to become growers ourselves and continually introduce novel approaches to each step of the process, from growing to fermenting to drying, so we can advance the diversification of cacao.
Valrhona sourcers crisscross the
globe to select the finest cacao beans and build lasting relationships with
growers.
EXPLORING THE WORLD TO FIND SUPERIOR CACAO BEANS
Benjamin Figarède
Valrhona Sourcer
There is something inexplicable about cacao, a connection with the soil and tradition. These trees have belonged to families for generations. There is much more to being a Valrhona sourcer than just buying cacao.
OUR COMMITMENT TO GROWERS
Bruno Dunoyer
Director of Millot Plantation in Madagascar
A perfect example of our dedication to growers is the Millot plantation in Madagascar, which has been partnering with Valrhona for more than 20 years. Our lasting tight-knit relationship with them has resulted in producing superior cacao beans, environmental sustainability that is second-to-none, and better lives for the surrounding communities. A total of 45 homes in the village were renovated and a new health center was built thanks to Valrhona's support.
It is critical for us and our growers to keep the cacao supply trade alive. It's both about protecting rare aromatic cacao varieties and improving the everyday lives of communities. We have built long-term partnerships with our cacao producers in 11 countries. We have invested in hands-on initiatives to improve the quality of life for communities in places like Ghana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Peru and the Dominican Republic. These initiatives include building schools and health centers, renovating houses and providing access to drinking water. Over 20 community projects have been completed since 2012.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR CACAO GROWING
Our sustainability program called Long Live is a long-term commitment to the environment. It is an active initiative to promote sustainable cacao farming among our partner cacao growers. We are a founding member of the Cacao Forest program, which perfectly exemplifies this mission.
Cacao Forest was a groundbreaking global project which started in 2015 to develop new agroforestry practices that both protect the environment and increase income for growers. The first agroforestry projects were carried out in the Dominican Republic on plantations where cacao trees were grown alongside other trees and crops. Growing fruits and vegetables at the same time enabled growers to diversify their income, which protected them from the inherent uncertainties of cacao production.
Attending the Cacao Forest workshops kept me motivated. We are profiting from cacao and related products.
Apolinal Sanchez Rosas Dominican Cacao Producer
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EXPANDING THE VARIETY OF
FLAVOR