One product, three grades, one protocol. Everything below is the specification we contract against — not a marketing range.
Our volume product. Blended across clusters within a province for a consistent, cocoa-forward profile. Built for couverture, industrial chocolate and blending.
Sourced from plots managed without prohibited pesticides and with zero deforestation, held to the same fermentation regime. Certification status is disclosed honestly — see the note below.
Lots kept separate by cluster, selected on cut test and sensory profile, for makers who want origin character on the label.
We describe organic-track lots as organic-track deliberately. Our practices — no prohibited pesticides, no deforestation, documented inputs — are built to certification standards, and certification is in progress. We will not claim a certificate we do not yet hold, because you will ask for the number and we would rather tell you now than at contract stage. Current certificate status is listed on the Resources page and updated as it changes.
Contract specification for Grade I fermented beans, aligned to ISO 2451 and the CAOBISCO/ECA/FCC industry quality requirements. Tighter parameters can be contracted on request.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product | Whole fermented and dried cocoa beans, Theobroma cacao |
| Origin | North Kivu and Ituri provinces, DR Congo |
| Varieties | Trinitario and Forastero |
| Moisture at bagging | 6.5 – 7.5% (max 7.5%) |
| Bean count | Max 100 beans per 100 g |
| Well-fermented beans | Min 85% (typical 88–92%) |
| Slaty beans | Max 3% |
| Mouldy beans | Max 3% |
| Insect-damaged / germinated / flat | Max 3% |
| Free fatty acid | Max 1.75% (typical 0.8–1.1%) |
| Foreign matter | Max 0.5% |
| Fat content | Typical 52–55% on dry matter |
| Off-odours | Free from smoke, ham and hydrocarbon odours |
| Contaminant compliance | Managed against EU maximum levels including cadmium; per-lot testing available |
| Shelf life | 24 months in ventilated storage at specified moisture |
| Option | Unit | 20' GP | 40' HC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jute bags — standard | 62.5 kg | 288 bags / 18 t | 400 bags / 25 t | Food-grade, sisal-stitched, lot-tagged |
| Jute bags with liner | 62.5 kg | 288 bags / 18 t | 400 bags / 25 t | Recommended for long transit or humid destinations |
| Bulk big bags | 1,000 kg | 18 bags / 18 t | 25 bags / 25 t | For processors with bulk intake |
Containers are inspected for cleanliness and residual odour before loading, and desiccant is used where the routing or season calls for it. Bag markings follow your instructions — lot code, contract number and destination as required.
Two crops a year. Main crop carries the volume; mid crop keeps supply continuous through the second half of the year.
| Period | Main crop | Mid crop | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct – Jan | Harvest and fermentation | — | Contract forward positions |
| Jan – Mar | Drying, grading, warehousing | — | Pre-shipment samples issued |
| Feb – Apr | Peak shipping window | — | Main-crop shipments depart |
| May – Jul | — | Harvest and fermentation | Mid-crop samples on request |
| Jul – Sep | — | Drying, grading, shipping | Mid-crop shipments depart |
| Sep – Oct | Nursery and field preparation | — | Plan next main crop |
FOB Mombasa, CFR, CIF and DAP to most destinations. Incoterm agreed per contract.
One 20' container (18 t). Trial lots below container volume can be arranged at adjusted terms.
USD. Other currencies on request.
Bank transfer via RAWBANK, DR Congo. Documentary letters of credit accepted.
Spot or long-term supply agreements with agreed volume, price mechanism and delivery schedule.
Every shipment ships with its analysis bulletin. Where non-conformity against contract specification is demonstrated, terms are renegotiated.
Not offered yet. Listed so you can plan, and so you know where we are heading.
Tell us your target profile, volume and destination port. Our export desk replies within two business days with available lots, a cut-test report and an indicative offer.