Project News

Provincial Dinas for Cooperatives, SMEs, Industry and Trade of Central Sulawesi (Diskumperindag) has been working out for product development of couverture (cacao processed product ready for use by chocolate/ confectionary producers) utilizing locally available cacao beans, since last October. While asking the advice of the Ministry of Industry and Local Working Group (LWG), this government-run factory of couverture has been trying the optimization of processing work and the better selection/ mixing of raw materials in order to seek for the better taste, aroma and texture. In view of ensuring stable supply of quality fermented cacao beans, collaboration with farmers' group (which has been guided by the R&D institute of the Ministry of Agriculture) is being facilitated. Meanwhile, Diskumperindag has also started the promotion activity to explore the local markets (in Palu City), targeting hotels, restaurants and chocolate/ confectionary producers. In response to such a promoting initiative, the producers of chocolate has formed "SME Forum of Chocolate Industry" for the purpose of developing "locally made chocolate" utilizing locally available cacao beans, and agreed to cooperate in product development and promotion activity.

Diskumperindag would commence a hearing survey in collaboration with the said forum for the purpose of exploring the sales channels in local markets such as supermarket and hotel/ restaurant, while continuing a quality improvement of couverture especially on reducing its sourness.

Cacao Processing for Courverture

Promotion to Hotels and Chocolate Producers