Project News

Government-run cacao processing factory of couverture (processed cacao product ready for use by chocolate producers) has achieved acceptable quality if judged by the opinions of local chocolate producers and the result of market test through exhibitions.

Target group of local chocolate producers, APECC (Association of Celebes Chocolate Producers) established by 12 producers in order to promote their chocolate products using the said couverture from Sulawesi beans, has been active in promoting their chocolate products through local exhibitions and flea markets. One exhibition held in December 2013 brought a great success achieving sales of Rp. 23 million (around 250 thousand yen) during five days while obtaining feedbacks from visitors through questionnaire survey.

They also commenced sales visits to local modern market segments in order to establish the stable sales channels. Introducing the characteristics of local bean-processed chocolate products, those producers worked in a team to explore market opportunities and detail needs of potential buyers/ users. Potential buyers/ users of chocolate products (including courverture) such as supermarket, hotel and restaurant/ café amounted to more than 10, and largely responded quite positively to the locally made "Chocolate of Central Sulawesi" after tasting samples. Some visited buyers/ users are requesting additional samples for tasting by decision-maker, and others are willing to discuss how to introduce locally made chocolate, for example, as snack in mini-bar and gift for check-in guests in hotel, and chocolate spread for restaurant/ café menu.

The Local Working Group is continuously expected to facilitate the producers' group to conduct sales promotion of their chocolate, but at the same time, to have the processing factory launch continued production of couverture in view of scaling-up the marketing actions by chocolate producers.

Questionnaire survey at an exhibition

Sales visit to potential buyer