Ecuador is the world’s third-largest cocoa producer as well as the largest global producer of fine flavor cocoa. 

“Technology and innovation are key to the future of food system evolution, providing opportunities for improving farmer productivity and resilience, combating climate change, and reducing the impact of agriculture on the environment,” says Barry Callebaut. 

Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s biggest Belgium premium chocolate supplier, and it’s known for its sustainable innovation, and its new farm will be located in the Cerecita Valley. The operations and infrastructure of this new development will be starting as soon as possible, with the planting of cocoa seedlings on the farm’s non-planted land. 

Barry Callebaut has stated that they aim to establish the best cocoa farming practices, ensuring they’re climate-smart and enhance sustainability as well as farm profitability.

“Our Farm of the Future aims to be a contributor to the global movement on food system innovation. The establishment of this hub is a valuable vehicle for providing new opportunities for sustainable cocoa farming and research,” says Pablo Perverse, Chief Innovation, and Sustainability Officer. 

The new facility will also complement the group’s initiative to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025.