Ethiquable invests in new organic chocolate facility in France

Ethiquable, a French fair-trade cooperative group, has announced plans to invest €15-million for the construction of a new facility producing organic chocolate. 

Located in the commune of Fleurance in south-west France, the new 5,500 m² facility is scheduled to begin production in Spring 2021, employing at least 20 people and with an anticipated annual production of 1,300 tonnes. The project is being carried out in association with Norandino, a cocoa producer and processor from Peru, and is partially funded by the state bank CDC.

Ethiquable produces a wide range of fair-trade food products including biscuits, desserts, spreads and peanut butter, as well as chocolate. Cocoa accounts for 45% of sales. The cooperative supplies several major supermarket chains including Auchan, Carrefour and Leclerc.

Last year saw a 20% increase in annual turnover to €63-million, largely driven by the rising popularity of fair-trade and organic food products.

Chocolate bar manufacturing is currently sub-contracted out in Italy but will gradually be brought in-house within the new site.

Confirming comments in French media, co-founder Christophe Eberhart said: "We want to integrate added value, to be more innovative with recipes in supporting producers and gain in credibility in the eyes of retailers." 

Ethiquable's partner firm Norandino is a cocoa producing cooperative in Peru. According to sales manager Santiago Paz, the group has been reevaluating old cocoa territories in the country, and focusing on quality and traceability in a market that is very concentrated. 

Paz said: "We have now invested €7-million in a new processing facility. This would not have been possible without our continued relationship with Ethiquable".

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