Ecuador Chocolate Ready to Rule the World
3/20/2009 2:39:00 AM
STORY:
Leading cocoa export countries have gathered in Ecuador to turn the coastal city of Guayaquil into the world’s chocolate headquarters.
Around 85,000 farmers in Guayaquil cultivate Ecuador’s “aroma cocoa.” The country exports almost 60 per cent of the world's high grade "fine cocoa."
Last year alone, Ecuador exported around 120,000 metric tons of fine cocoa products.
[Victor Orellana, President, Association of Fine Cocoa Exporters]:
"It's not just a result of more production, but of post-harvest treatment. You must be very careful, and be very dedicated to the process of fermentation and to the care of the grain."
And now Ecuador wants to take over the kings of chocolate like Belgium, Switzerland and France, and produce its own gourmet delights.
[Fausto Moncayo, Chocolate Factory Owner]:
“While we've been exporting cocoa for many years, we haven't produced top quality chocolates in Ecuador, so we saw there was an opportunity to do something in the country, and for the country."
And since Ecuadorean producers rarely use pesticides and herbicides, the country is well placed to cash in the ‘organic revolution.’
