Barry Callebaut has laid the foundation for the future growth of the cocoa value chain in Ecuador in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new cocoa facility in Durán.

Upon completion, the site will receive, dry, clean and store cocoa beans and prepare for export to the company’s cocoa and chocolate factories in the US, Canada, Asia and Europe. 

This project represents a significant company investment in Ecuador and shows its commitment to further developing the value chain of this fast-growing cocoa-producing country.

The chocolate and cocoa manufacturer is further “excited about the opportunities associated with Ecuador cocoa bean production as well as its great growth potential.”

We are proud to continue investing in a country wher we have been present since 2007,” says Steven Retzlaff, president of global cocoa. 

“Our team is looking forward to moving into the new premises, further developing business relations with existing and new partners and enhancing our sustainability programs with the Ecuadorian cocoa farmers,” explains Angela Gubser, managing director Ecuador. 

Barry Callebaut has been sourcing cocoa from Ecuador since its foundation in 1996. 

This cocoa is used in many of its products, including the single-origin couvertures Carma Milk Ecuador, Callebaut Origine Ecuador and Cacao Barry Équateur.

Ecuador is well known for the cultivation of “Cacao Nacional,” also known as Arriba, a flowery-fruity flavored variety of cocoa. 

The cultivation of the more recent, highly productive, CCN51 variety has increased significantly in recent years, helping to establish the country as the third-largest cocoa producer in the world after Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.