Cargill at Asia Choco Congress 2013
Cargill has announced that it has achieved the Standard National of Indonesia (SNI), for its Gerkens® cocoa powders produced in the Netherlands, which will enable it to export its high quality powders to the country. “We are extremely pleased to achieve the SNI, which enables us to export our globally renowned Gerkens® cocoa powders to Indonesia,” comments Job Leuning, Business Development Director for Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “Indonesia is an important country in a vital region. As cocoa demand continues to grow we are building up our local market presence in Asia and strengthening our cocoa business on the ground. We have already set up a new R&D application center in the region and extended our Gerkens® sales office in order to help our customers meet this growing demand.”
The announcement has been made on the eve of Cargill’s participation in the Asia Choco Congress 2013. This brings together cocoa growers, processors, chocolate manufacturers, and other stakeholders to explore global supply chain challenges in the fastest growing confectionery region in the world.
Taco Terheijden, Manager Sustainable Cocoa for Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, is a discussion panel participant at the Asia Choco Congress 2013, which Cargill is co-sponsoring. He will take part in two panel discussions looking at how a sustainable world cocoa economy can be achieved.
“It is absolutely vital we all work together to achieve a sustainable cocoa industry to ensure future supplies and a higher yield for cocoa farmers,” says Taco Terheijden. “For our part, we have already begun by extending our Cargill Cocoa Promise to Indonesia. This is a commitment to making a difference in three key areas: training cocoa farmers; supporting cocoa farming communities; and investing in the long-term sustainable production of cocoa.”
Under the Cargill Cocoa Promise, Farmer Field Schools have been established to offer training to an initial 1,000 Indonesian farmers to help them develop skills which will improve productivity, bean quality and, as a result, the income of farmers and their families.
“This is just the beginning of the expansion of our cocoa operations in Indonesia, which has always been an important country for us. Cargill has been present in Indonesia for over 35 years and employs 11,000 people, not just in the cocoa sector but also in grain and oilseeds, palm oil, animal nutrition, and starches and sweeteners,” concludes Job Leuning.
