Signature Origins: Cargill expands sustainably-sourced couverture chocolate line ahead of Easter

16 Mar 2021 --- Cargill is expanding its Veliche line with two dynamic, Signature Origins dark couverture chocolates. Cargill is the only gourmet chocolate supplier to bring the unique flavors of El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of Congo to global chefs.

“In developing our new Signature Origins products, we searched the cocoa-growing regions of the world to bring chefs chocolate with unique flavor profiles that truly stand apart from current gourmet offerings,” says Wim Bastiaens, Cargill’s gourmet and distribution director.

“Our Usulután 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from El Salvador and Okapi 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from the Democratic Republic of Congo are the result – gourmet chocolates that will surprise and delight consumers’ palates.”

Veliche becomes the first gourmet brand to bring chocolate sourced from El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of Congo to chefs globally.Partnering with cocoa farmers
While only small quantities of cocoa beans are produced in El Salvador, those that grow in its rich, volcanic soils are highly prized. 

To make the country’s unique flavors accessible to chefs, Cargill partnered with the third-generation cocoa farmers of the Hacienda San José Real de la Carrera, drawn to their cocoa beans, infused with complex nutty, fruity and floral notes. 

Nearly 12,000 kilometers east, Cargill discovered the Okapi Cooperative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which produces intense herbaceous cocoa with flavors of spices and dried fruits. 

These cocoa beans will be grown exclusively for Cargill and craft the company’s Okapi Signature Origins dark couverture chocolate.

Expanding gourmet offerings
Alongside the new product launches, Cargill has also revealed a revamped website and new resealable and recyclable packaging that showcases the diverse chefs and farmers behind its gourmet chocolate. 

The enhanced packaging represents one part of an expanding commitment to the environment.

“Since its introduction to the gourmet market in 2016, sustainability has been a pillar of the Veliche brand,” Bastiaens outlines, noting that most Veliche cocoa and chocolate products are sustainably sourced from Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, and all are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. 

“Five years later, and we’re still the only gourmet line to offer 100 percent sustainably sourced cocoa and chocolate. Now we’re going a step further, unveiling a program designed to support entrepreneurship in our cocoa-origin countries.”

Prioritizing sustainability
Cargill is investing US$950,000 in a new sustainability initiative in Cote d’Ivoire supported by Veliche, which aims to empower cocoa farming households to become “agripreneurs” and manage their farms as businesses. 

The program, implemented through its partner – the international development non-profit TechnoServe – includes individual coaching on good agricultural practices, supporting on- and off-farm income diversification and entrepreneurship training for women and youth.Cargill is investing US$950,000 in a new sustainability initiative in Cote d’Ivoire supported by Veliche.

“When we invest in sustainability initiatives, we’re equipping our customers for success too,” Bastiaens notes. 

“Today’s socially and environmentally conscious consumers increasingly prioritize sustainable, ethically sourced products. With the Veliche sustainability program, we’re encouraging our industry partners to join us, investing in cocoa-farming communities and at the same time, making their brands more sustainable.”   

Cargill’s actions to expand its Veliche line and reaffirm its commitment to the gourmet chocolate space come just six months since the announcement of its investment in additional capabilities in its Kalmthout, Belgium, gourmet production facility in 2020. 

That move followed a string of investments in the gourmet segment, including acquisitions of ADM’s global chocolate business in 2015 and Smet decorations in 2019.

Last month, CARE, a humanitarian organization, and Cargill released their partnership successes in a report highlighting cocoa sustainability. The report details the challenges and progress that has been made in child labor prevention, diversifying income and ensuring food security and nutrition for families. 

By Elizabeth Green