Chokolate de San Isidro Organic, rainforest alliance accredited
OVER thousands of cacao players in the country, one stood out as the only organic and rainforest alliance accredited -- Chokolate de San Isidro Inc. (CSI.
CSI, located in San Isidro, Davao del Norte, is known for its single-origin, all natural cacao-based products. CSI adds to its wide array of organic produce another cacao-based product, the Chocolate coconut jam.
CSI marketing director Dante R. Muyco told Sun.Star Davao that this additional product will further strengthen its company’s thrust to connect organic cacao products to the world.
“Chocolate coconut jam is our latest addition to our products, and we are planning to also export it just like what we are doing from the past years,” Muyco said, adding that CSI is one of the cacao players that pioneered exporting cacao products to Europe in 2009.
He added that they are now beginning to export cacao beans in Japan and Singapore. At present, CSI will focus on boosting the market value of chocolate coco jam in the country.
r“We will first market it here locally but after we will push for its exportation,” Muyco said, adding that chocolate coco jam is sold at P220 per bottle in retail.
CSI’s other organic products are cocoa liquor or Tablea, Cacao nibs, and cacao beans, among others.
Being the only certified organic with the International Control Union Certification, Sustainable Agriculture Network Standard and Rainforest Alliance, CSI commits to promote sustainable agriculture farming system.
“Having been certified under these certifying bodies, we adhere to the principles of agriculture sustainability, giving focus on Environment Preservation, Farm Productivity, and Community Empowerment and Involvement,” Muyco said.
Through an integrated approach, CSI takes part in providing the key to advancing small-scale farmers, cooperatives and enterprises within the cacao value chain.
“What’s good in cacao industry is it is the only commodity now which is not controlled by anybody or single company which means all the players are playing its part in the whole value chain. This can be translated to inclusive growth from the traders to farmers,” he said.
CSI is supporting over 500 farmers with free Agricultural farming trainings and technical assistance. It also disperses cacao seedlings and buys farmers’ products.
The CSI is gearing up in partnering with Daco Farms, a federation of Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte farmers through marketing the famers’ cacao produce.