SICAO Integrates Sustainable Cocoa into its Portfolio and Strengthens Participation in Cocoa Horizons
SICAO, a Mexican-produced chocolate brand backed by the Barry Callebaut Group, has incorporated sustainable cocoa into part of its product line since 2021. This move is part of a strategy to bolster sustainable and traceable agricultural practices. The collaboration is active with Cocoa Horizons, a non-profit foundation established in 2015 that aims to improve the living conditions of cocoa-farming communities.
Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing
The sustainable cocoa used in some of the company’s products comes from farms that adhere to organic cultivation processes, following international certification guidelines. This integration addresses the demand for traceable inputs and simultaneously provides direct benefits to farmers, who receive incentives for maintaining these standards.
Direct Farmer Collaboration
Ofelia Elías, Brand Manager of SICAO in Mexico and the Caribbean, explained in an interview with El Economista that the company collaborates directly with cocoa producers and farmer groups to promote 100% sustainable cocoa cultivation through Cocoa Horizons Foundation.
Sustainable Focus
Global cocoa production is projected to decline by 11% in the 2023/2024 season, according to the International Cocoa Organization. Climate and phytosanitary factors have reduced supply and driven prices to historical highs.
In response, the Barry Callebaut Group channels efforts towards Cocoa Horizons, a program designed to tackle structural issues in cocoa-producing regions, primarily in West Africa. The program currently involves over 250,000 producers in countries like Ghana, Costa de Marfil, Brazil, and Indonesia.
Cocoa Horizons’ Three Main Focus Areas
- Improving agricultural productivity through business plans and technical advice.
- Developing rural community capabilities via educational programs, child labor prevention, and family income promotion.
- Mitigating the effects of extensive farming on the environment through reforestation, agroforestry, and productive limit monitoring practices.
Cocoa Horizons’ funding comes from premiums paid by participating companies like SICAO and private contributions. These resources are allocated to on-the-ground projects aiming to enhance the quality of life for producers and their families.
Local Production with Global Focus
SICAO is produced in Mexico, targeting bakers, pastry chefs, and chocolatiers within the country. The brand’s local focus combines with Barry Callebaut Group’s global sustainability guidelines, linking the operation to an international network of responsible practices.
Technical Support and Educational Initiatives
Beyond sustainable cocoa usage, SICAO has implemented mechanisms to reinforce technical support for its users. These include educational content, product usage advice in the kitchen, and a loyalty program recognizing professionals who use its ingredients through Chocolate Academy, according to Ofelia Elías during a gastronomic experience where pastry chefs, bakers, chefs, and chocolate enthusiasts connected with the essence of an ingredient transcending culinary boundaries.
