Our commitment to our network

CEMOI’s main priority is to develop and improve quality and supplies

In order to do so, we buy our cocoa beans direct on the three cocoa-producing continents:

Africa: Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Sao tome,
South America: Ecudaor,
Asia: Vanuatu Island.

Direct contact with the local cocoa farmers is the basis of our profession and as a good chocolate can only be made from a good selection of cocoa beans we employ a team of 5 who work all year round, selecting the best beans for the group.

In collaboration with the 80,000 cocoa farmers throughout the world, CEMOI participates in all decisions to improve production quality: variety selection, optimisation of farming and fermentation conditions, etc.

Since 1996 and in collaboration with our cooperatives, CEMOI has invested 1, 2 M€ in the cacao network to secure supply volume and quality and to insure against a risk of bean shortage or a decrease in quality.

The CEMOI Organic Fair Trade Network

The CEMOI Organic Fair Trade Network contributes to the development of local farmers’ resources and to finding, valorising and increasing cocoa plantations whose refined aromas are unique. The original cacao trees are getting old and fewer by the minute and are being replaced by hybrid cacao trees of an inferior quality.

We have set up a Cacoa Tree Renewal programme in Ecuador and on Sao Tome Island.
The strategy of our Organic Fair Trade Network is a part of our fair trade, social and sustainable development policy.

The AB Label –Agriculture Biologique (Organic Farming) is certified by the State-recognised and independent organisation ECOCERT (Organic Control and Certification). Our brand “Bio Equitable” (Organic Fair Trade) is externally controlled by Ecocert to guarantee respect of the strict ruling adherent to the certification.

Our organic specifications therefore cover more than just the official recommendations as we guarantee a regular income for our farmers.

Our contracts are long-term as the transformation of a traditional cocoa plantation into an organic one takes at least five years. An important part of our contract is that our own local teams help the local cocoa farmers not only with training programmes, but also replacing old equipment with new. Our organic farming methods ensure better working conditions for small-scale farmers and guarantee a better traceability for us.

And it doesn’t stop there, as we continue to improve our supply control, costs, cocoa bean quality and in particular, our cocoa tree preservation programme.

Organic fair trade and the AB label: respect for man and our planet

In order to offer our consumers maximum guarantees, we clearly label our products:

The organic farming “AB” label certifies that our chocolate bars contain a minimum of 95 % organically produced ingredients and are free from synthetically chemical products and GMO.

The “Bio Equitable” label is the finalisation of our organic methods, proof of our respect for local farmers, quality and long term sustainable development. It guarantees fair trade conditions, controlled by the Ecocert organisation.

Our “Bio Equitable” brand is the guarantee for consumers of CEMOI‘s long term policy:

To develop sustainable farming and support of local communities: saving cacao tree plantations by selecting new plants and training local farmers in the day to day care of their plantations.
To guarantee the respect for human rights
To establish long term contracts with local farmers, buying their entire cocoa production over a minimum 5 year period.
To ensure a minimum price of sale, guaranteeing correct earnings for the farmers therefore ensuring better medical care and an improvement in their day to day lives and those of their families.
To provide permanent technical assistance and guidance in line with local cultures and traditions.
To comply with organic farming specifications.
To cover all organic certification costs and fair trade controls.

Ecocert control

Ecocert controls that, at all stages of production the above are respected and adhered to. Ecocert is a totally independent organisation with more than 10 years experience in the field.

These controls mean that “Bio Equitable” is the guarantee of rigour and commitment to the organic quality of our products and a respect for ethical and social conditions for the farmers and their families. This is our contribution to sustainable and social development.

CEMOI & the Bio Equitable Fair Trade Charter

1 - To comply with at least one of the organic farming specifications.

2 - To formalise commitment with long term contracts with local farmers or farming cooperatives.

3 - To cover all organic certification costs and fair trade specification controls.

4 - To provide technical support where & when needed, management support, training & assistance for local engineers.

5 - To practice a “minimum contract price guarantee”, ensuring correct income for local farmers and their workers, improving their lives & those of their families.

6 - To guarantee the respect for human rights.

7 - To participate in the development of sustainable organic farming and local community support.

Many types of fair trade exist for products like cocoa, cotton, spices, sesame, quinoa, tea, vanilla, etc.