Production

Environmental, economic, and social principles are fully integrated into every aspect of Dutch Cocoa’s activities. We particularly focus on the sourcing of sustainable and ethically produced cocoa beans, while also optimizing our own production process for efficient use of energy and water with minimal waste. We work every day toward becoming a fully sustainable factory and a uniquely sustainable partner for our clients.

Human Resources

Dutch Cocoa continuously strives to be a sustainable employer. Aside from safe and healthy working environments, Dutch Cocoa facilitates mandatory continuous training programmes, for the company’s benefit, as well as for the self-realization of our employees. These aspects ensure our employees motivated and knowledgeable.

Raw materials

Dutch Cocoa is considered a pioneer in processing sustainable and ethical cocoa. In the early 90’s, Dutch Cocoa was the first cocoa processor to source and process Fairtrade / Max Havelaar Certified cocoa beans. Fairtrade / Max Havelaar is the international hallmark ensuring farmers a fixed fair - justified price for the cocoa that they produce.  In addition to this, Fairtrade / Max Havelaar ensures farmers the right social circumstances in their production areas.

During the mid-90’s, Dutch Cocoa continued its successful sustainable approach by implementing segregated productions for organic certified products. These organic cocoa beans are characterized by farming method (no pesticides are being used), and they require a special treatment within the processing steps. Dutch Cocoa was the first processor to realize segregated cocoa processing and to fully trace the organic beans from farmer to the final organic cocoa products.

Today, both Fairtrade / Max Havelaar and Organic are well established certification bodies that are recognized by the markets.

More recently, broader sustainable and ethical focused programmes have been introduced and implemented into our cocoa production and processing, such as Rainforest Alliance and UTZ.

UTZ is characterized by demonstration of progress, where farmer producer groups plan requirements for several themes within their process. Attention is given to product quality and quantity, with the intention of increasing income. The UTZ standards are also strong on health and food safety criteria.

Rainforest Alliance requires strict principles for environmental quality, including ecosystem and wildlife conservation. Rainforest Alliance Certification defines fair prices at fixed volumes, thereby providing market transparency, while improving the local quality of life.

Both certification bodies appreciate the value of each method and respect the complementary nature of their work toward sustainable agriculture and trading throughout the world. Dutch Cocoa applies these different principles and complies accordingly.

Segregated productions

Dutch Cocoa’s state of the art processing facility in Amsterdam assures segregated production, enabling clients to fully trace back beans to the cooperative and farmer level. This advantageous process ensures our customers, who chose to integrate their supply chain with sustainable certified cocoa products, to also maximize the higher quality standards that are being obtained when sourcing sustainable grown and processed cocoa.