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A RARE AND VULNERABLE GENETIC HERITAGE
São Tomé and Príncipe is an independent island nation in the Gulf of Guinea situated on the equator and lying approximately 200 km off the coast of Africa. The main island, São Tomé, is only 48 km long and 32 km wide and harbours around 90% of the population. São Tomé offers exemplary growing conditions for cacao with an abundance of sunshine as well as plenty of rain which creates an optimal climate for all-year-round cacao production. Due to the island’s remoteness, the fine cacao variety Forastero Amelonado has been retained in its original form on São Tomé.
The history of cacao on the islands can be traced back to 1822 when the Portuguese introduced cacao trees from Brazil on Príncipe. Under colonial rule, so-called roças were established; self-sufficient, agricultural exploitation structures which were set up in a comparable way to villages. At the beginning of the 20th century, São Tomé was the largest cacao producer in the world with an annual production of around 35,000 tonnes, however following independence from Portugal in 1975, the heyday of cacao production in São Tomé concluded due to a lack of investment and the drop in global market prices which witnessed annual production decline to around 2,000 tonnes by 2012.
Facts
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PARTNERSHIP WITH
Satocao
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NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OR FARMERS
approx. 200 Satocao employees plus 97 outgrower communities
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TYPE OF COMPANY
Satocao has its own plantations which are licensed by the São Tomé and Príncipe government. In addition, the company purchases raw cacao from outgrowers for processing.
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HOMEPAGE
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COOPERATION SINCE
2014
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CACAO VARIETY
The basis is mainly Forastero Amelonado 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 São Tomé
OUR PARTNER AND DIRECT COLLABORATION ON SITE
We purchase our cacao from the company Satocao. The company was founded in 2010 by Swiss and European investors with its aim being to promote cacao cultivation sustainably in the country and to restore the significance that it previously held for the island nation. Consequently, a considerable amount of development work is being carried out; ancient cacao trees have been rehabilitated on former farms and 300 hectares of new trees have been planted. Another significant aspect of the sustainability of the business is the building up of expertise in cacao cultivation, fermentation and drying. The cacao beans are fermented and dried in a modern plant in Morro Peixe in the north of São Tomé where there is also a Satocao warehouse and laboratory located.
OUTGROWER PROJECT
A BIG HELP FOR COMMUNITIES
Satocao has introduced a project for rural cacao growers (outgrowers). The aim of the project is to promote expertise in cacao cultivation and therefore to improve production standards and productivity as a result. In addition to training, the outgrowers are also provided with access to equipment and agricultural inputs. Satocao buys the cacao from these communities and pays a fair and stable market price which is guaranteed to be locally competitive. The purchase agreements provide the farmers with the assurance of being able to sell their cacao and the company puts a concerted effort into ensuring that even the most isolated communities are reached. Felchlin primarily purchases the cacao which is produced by the outgrower communities.
Products
| Felchlin Art. No. | Product name | |
|---|---|---|
| CO45 | Sao Palme 75%, dark chocolate couverture, Rondo | |
| CO31 | Sambesi Dark 55%, dark chocolate couverture, Bar |
Note: Some products are not available in all markets. The right to make changes to the range is reserved. Liste non exhaustive.