Name: UBIQ AG
Price range: $

Ecuador

Cacao Selection Felchlin

AN ICONIC PRODUCT WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

After Ecuador's independence from Spain in 1830, many wealthy families, who were also known as "Grandes Cacaos", devoted themselves to cacao. The plantation system was expanded, large agro-industrial production units became the norm and by the end of the 19th century, Ecuador was the world's largest exporter of cacao.

In the 1920s, pests and diseases of the cacao trees together with the lack of means of transport, and the effects of the First World War led to a sharp decline in production. Cacao exports collapsed, leading the country into a severe crisis though through the development of other agricultural sectors, the cultivation of the more disease-resistant cacao variety CCN 51 and targeted government support measures, the country slowly recovered.

Seen in a historical context, it is not the quantity of exported cacao but the production of high-quality beans that has been the decisive factor in allowing Ecuador to play an important role in the international cacao trade. According to official statistics, Ecuador is by far the largest producer of fine cacao, with a market share of about 70% and with the most widespread variety of fine cacao in Ecuador being Arriba Nacional. During colonial times, cacao was transported down the Guayas River system to the port city of Guayaquil, which is why this cacao was called "Arriba" (Spanish for "above").

Facts

PARTNERSHIP WITH

Asociación Agro Artesanal Kallari and APROCANE (Asociacion de Productores de Cacao de la Zona Norte de Esmeraldas)
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OR FARMERS

317 Kichwa-Families (Kallari) and approx. 300 Cacaofarmers (APROCANE)
TYPE OF COMPANY

Cooperative
HOMEPAGE

kallari.com.ec

Aprocane does not have a website
COOPERATION SINCE

2005 (Kallari) and 2004 (APROCANE)
CACAO VARIETY

The basis is mainly Arriba Nacional cacao. Due to the recurring cross-breeding and evolution of cacao plants, it is difficult to determine the exact cacao variety. Our top priority is the flavour profile of the cacao.

Felchlin in Esmeraldas

Our partner and direct collaboration on site - APROCANE

The APROCANE cooperative is an association of around 300 cacao producers situated in the province of Esmeraldas in northern Ecuador.

The Esmeraldas region encompasses to a great extent dense rainforest and is abundant in original and speciesrich flora and fauna. Access to the region takes place through the numerous rivers, one of which is the Rio Wimbi (Huimbi), the namesake of our couvertures.

Felchlin in Esmeraldas

Our partner and direct collaboration on site - APROCANE

The local Afro-Ecuadorian population lives in harmony with nature and understands how to reap the benefits of the hot and humid climate and its luxuriant vegetation.
The extensive variety of exotic fruits and plants and the immense knowledge about nature and its inhabitants help the people to lead a contented life despite having only very limited resources. The farmers of the APROCANE cooperative are strongly affiliated and live closely together with one another.

Felchlin in Esmeraldas

Our partner and direct collaboration on site - APROCANE

Collectively they can earn both fair prices for their products and exchange ideas about the challenges in cacao cultivation. Centralised post-harvest treatment improves the quality of the aromatic, fine flavoured Arriba Nacional cacao and between Felchlin and the cooperative there is a spirited exchange of ideas with our long-term relationship allowing for mutually beneficial security.

Healthcare in Ecuador

The «SALUD ESMERALDAS» project

The «Salud Esmeraldas» project makes it possible to enrol 300 cocoa farmers and their families in the Esemeraldas region in a health programme. These families receive comprehensive health insurance to ensure that they have access to basic health care and are protected from extreme poverty.

Healthcare in Ecuador

The «SALUD ESMERALDAS» project

The programme includes support for enrolment in the national health insurance scheme, coverage of emergency and maternal care costs, and coverage of medication costs listed on the WHO or Ecuador's Essential Medicines List.

Thanks to the strategic partnership with our implementation partner Elucid, local people are supported in their health and in improving their standard of living.

Felchlin in Napo

OUR PARTNER AND DIRECT COOPERATION ON SITE - KALLARI

Kallari is an associative, integrative organisation of about 850 small farmers from the Tena area in the Napo province on the eastern side of the Andes in Ecuador. The cooperative was founded in 2003 with around 100 farmers, with the aim of improving the living conditions of all members and preserving the ecological and cultural diversity of the region.

Felchlin in Napo

OUR PARTNER AND DIRECT COOPERATION ON SITE - KALLARI

Since 2004, Felchlin has been regularly visiting the cooperative and giving valuable advice on the cultivation and processing of cacao. Among other things, fermentation and drying have been centralised, which has contributed significantly to increasing both the yield and the quality of the cacao.

Kallari has developed and implemented a unique drying system in which warm air generated by solar panels flows evenly and gently under the cocoa beans to dry them.

THE INDIGENOUS KICHWAS AND THEIR CHAKRAS

The chakra system is the traditional cultivation method of the indigenous Kichwa communities in the Amazon region. In the forest gardens, in addition to cacao up to 100 other plants and tree species are cultivated which serve as additional sources of income for the farmers with around 62% of the cacao farmers being women.

THE INDIGENOUS KICHWAS AND THEIR CHAKRAS

The chakra system is more resistant to the effects of climate change, it maintains soil fertility and does not entail the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. In this natural environment, which is in ecological balance, the fine cacao thrives in the best possible conditions.

Products

Felchlin Art. No.	Product name
CS87	Arriba 72% - 72h, dark chocolate couverture, Rondo	More info
CR60	Rio Huimbi 62%, dark chocolate couverture, Rondo	More info
CR40	Rio Huimbi 42%, milk chocolate couverture, Rondo	More info

Note: Some products are not available in all markets. The right to make changes to the range is reserved. Liste non exhaustive.

Back to overview