9 tips for finding buyers on the European cocoa market

Europe plays a dominant role in the global cocoa sector, with the ports of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium) as important hubs for cocoa trading. The continent houses a large cocoa grinding and processing industry. Europe’s dynamic cocoa and chocolate market provides plenty of opportunities for finding buyers. Keep in mind that your company profile and product offer will be critical in influencing your success on the market. The following tips show you how and where you can find European buyers for your cocoa beans.

1. Define your offer and its potential

European buyers, especially those focusing on the specialty segment, are increasingly looking for cocoa that is different, with specific flavour notes, from unique origins and with nuances in fragrance and texture. Specialty cocoa is a niche market in which smaller quantities of higher-quality beans are traded. Knowing your product and its specifics is crucial in finding buyers and establishing long-term relationships with them.

Note that, on the specialty market, the origin of cocoa beans is important, in combination with storytelling and traceability. This means you should be able to indicate:

• your cocoa bean’s genetic profile and variety;
• the potential supply volumes, per variety and/or grading;
• characteristics of the producing cooperative(s) and its individual members;
• their agro-climatic context, such as micro-climates, surrounding forests and other factors;
• their sensory parameters, assessed using a consistent method and verified by external experts;
• characteristics of the post-harvest protocols: fermentation and drying;
• existing awards you have won, such as the International Cocoa Awards, or feedback from current buyers.

The market for bulk cocoa beans is highly price-oriented (thus following international prices) and offers limited possibilities for value addition. It suits exporters that can supply large volumes at a standard and consistent commercial quality.

2. Know the European market for cocoa and chocolate

Knowing your market means being aware of your opportunities on international markets. It also means that you know which markets match your product offer in terms of cocoa variety, origin, taste profile, cocoa content, etc. This knowledge can increase your chances of finding buyers and building relationships.

As a starting point, consider the European countries that do significant trade in cocoa beans, and especially those that import directly from producing countries. This will indicate whether there are importers, cocoa processors and chocolate makers in that country that actively source cocoa beans. Explore the different producing countries that supply to those markets and identify whether it is a more concentrated or diverse market.

Once you have identified promising target markets for cocoa beans, you can explore which type of company would buy your cocoa. For example, if you supply speciality cocoa, search for importers and/or chocolate makers that import high-quality or fine flavour cocoa; you can also check if those companies get their supply from specific regions or countries.

3. Identify your ideal buyer profile and preferred market channel

There are different channels to bring your cocoa beans to the European market. How you can enter the market will depend on the quality of your cocoa beans, your supply capacities and your export experience. It is therefore crucial that you know your product well and know which channels match its profile.

The figure below shows you the most important entry channels for cocoa beans in Europe. Note that the European market is moving towards shortened supply chains. This means that cocoa-processing companies and chocolate makers are increasingly sourcing their cocoa beans directly from source, but importers still play a major role in the cocoa market.

In general, you should aim to look for companies that are willing to develop long-term business relationships, either directly or through an importer. This gives you the best chance of sustainable market access to Europe, as well as market consolidation.

Figure 1: The main channels for export of cocoa to Europe

Source: ProFound

Specialty market

In the specialty and fine flavour segment, cocoa beans are increasingly being traded directly from farmers (or farmer associations and cooperatives) to chocolate makers. Although direct trade is growing, it still represents a very small part of the cocoa market. Not all chocolate makers are able to sustain direct trade and all the responsibilities that are usually outsourced to traders, such as logistics, documentation and pre-financing.

As such, direct trade often happens with an importer as an intermediary. This importer acts as a service provider and contact point in the transactions between the producer and the chocolate maker. Importers can also safeguard traceability and communicate the story of the cocoa beans accurately along the chain. Examples of these importers focused on specialty cocoa are Bohnkaf-Kolonial (Germany), Silva (Belgium), Daarnhouwer and Crafting Markets (the Netherlands) and Uncommon Cacao (United States / the Netherlands).

If you have the financial means and technical know-how to organise export activities, and if you produce or have very special and high-quality cocoa beans, you may want to search for buyers by looking at small and medium-sized chocolate makers who market directly to end consumers. For instance, on this map of the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, you can find bean-to-bar makers, specialty chocolate stores or chocolatiers in any market.

Mainstream market

If you sell bulk cocoa, you are more likely to successfully find buyers within this sector by targeting commodity traders, cocoa processors or large chocolate manufacturers. Examples of commodity traders in Europe include Theobroma (the Netherlands) and Albrecht & Dill Trading (Germany). Examples of large multinationals include Cargill, Olam and Barry Callebaut (cocoa grinders and processors) and Nestlé, Mars and Mondelez (chocolate manufacturers).

All these companies tend to buy large volumes of standard qualities. They usually have their own export companies with cocoa-buying stations, or have partnerships with export companies in producing countries to which you can sell your beans directly.

4. Visit and/or exhibit at trade fairs

Trade fairs provide an excellent opportunity to actively promote your products and meet potential customers. Due to the effects of COVID-19, several fairs have been cancelled, while others have looked into ways to go virtual. Review the list of cocoa and chocolate trade fairs below and also specifically look at the virtual alternatives they provide. Interesting cocoa and chocolate trade fairs to visit include:

• Salon du Chocolat (the main event is in Paris, but Salon du Chocolat also has events in, among others, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom). The Paris event hosts the International Cocoa Awards every two years; this competition showcases and celebrates high-quality cocoa and diversity;
• Chocoa (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), which brings together stakeholders from the entire cocoa supply chain annually, from producers to chocolate consumers;
• Biofach (Nuremberg, Germany), an annual trade fair for organic food, including cocoa products and chocolate.
• Anuga (Cologne, Germany), is the largest biannual trade fair for food and beverages in the world, which includes cocoa products and chocolate.

If you do not have the means to exhibit as a participant, you can also consider attending these events as a visitor. Being present and meeting potential buyers face to face is much more effective than email or telephone communication, especially when it comes to first impressions. Also, as a visitor, it is very important to prepare your trade fair visit thoroughly. This means you should do the following:

• Review the exhibitor list at the trade fair’s website, and select companies from that list that are relevant to your buyer profile. This will help you make appointments and navigate the exhibition grounds strategically.
• Bring promotional materials, but remember to keep them simple and short. Carrying around heavy materials at a fair is not ideal, and potential buyers will most likely not bring heavy brochures home. Flyers or business cards are best, and should display contact details and other relevant information.
• Prepare and bring samples.
• Besides making appointments with potential buyers, make sure to contact sector associations and trade promotion organisations.

Exhibiting at or visiting a trade fair can be combined with visits to chocolate makers and/or potential partners in Europe. Note that appointments should be made months in advance and have a clear purpose.

If you cannot visit or exhibit at a trade fair, you can alternatively check the list of exhibitors, which can help you map out potential European buyers that are active in different countries.

Figure 2: Trade fair Chocoa in Amsterdam, 2021

Source: chocoa.nl 

5. Visit the websites of sector associations

Sector associations play a role in representing and promoting the cocoa or confectionery industry in a country or a wider region. The websites of international sector associations provide relevant information about the worldwide and European cocoa markets. Some of these associations also provide useful member lists, which could include potential buyers. Examples are:

• the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO);
• the Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC);
• the European Cocoa Association (ECA);
• the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute (FCCI);
• the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA).

You should also try visiting the websites of national associations and look at their member lists, which show a variety of different companies that work with cocoa products in a particular market. Examples include:

• the Royal Belgian Association of the Chocolate, Pralines, Biscuit and Confectionary (ChoPraBisCo);
• the Dutch Association for the Bakery and Confectionery Industry (VBZ);
• the Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI);
• the French Chocolate Union (Syndicat du Chocolat);
• the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers (CHOCOSUISSE).

6. Build and expand your business network

Apart from sector associations and trade fairs, there are other ways to search for potential buyers. Your existing business network could be a good place to start. In general, personal recommendations and connections are a good way to expand your network.

Check certification bodies and sustainability platforms

Another way to find potential buyers is through the customer databases of certification bodies. For example, by accessing the database of FLOCERT, you can find a list of Fairtrade-certified organisations that are active in the cocoa sector. The list of Rainforest Alliance/UTZ-certified cocoa supply chain actors is another rich source of information. Organic-Bio has a list of organic-certified cocoa supply chain actors.

You can also check which companies participate in national cocoa sustainability platforms. Examples are The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa, the Dutch Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa and the Belgian partnership for a sustainable chocolate industry Beyond Chocolate.

Access company databases

You can also try to expand your network by accessing company databases, from which you can derive a list of potential customers. There are both free and paid resources: chambers of commerce can be accessed free of charge (for example, the Dutch KvK), while websites such as Global Database are paid resources. Also, try to access websites containing local export data, Legiscomex (Colombia), for instance. On these websites, you can investigate in more detail what your competition sells to which buyer.

Your country’s embassy in your target market or markets could also help you find potential buyers and/or identify the competition. They usually have a commercial attaché to help you with your enquiries.

Use social networks

Being an active member in a group on the professional networking website LinkedIn is a good way to engage in the global cocoa sector. There are over 100 cocoa groups on LinkedIn, such as the Cocoa Trading Network and Cacao Bean to Bar – Artisan Chocolate making. Becoming a member of these groups can help you build contacts, stay up to date on market developments and find potential buyers. Also look at the connections your competition has on social networks. You will often find interesting contacts through these channels, which you can then approach directly via LinkedIn.

Collaborate with your network

Your position on the international market may be strengthened if you can work together with other actors in the sector on a national level. For instance, try to engage the local or national government in setting a sector strategy for cocoa exports. You could also consider joining forces with other cocoa farmers and working together in promoting your country and/or region as a cocoa origin.

7. Team up with matchmaking programmes and trade missions

Embassies, business support organisations/trade promotion agencies and chambers of commerce often organise matchmaking programmes and trade missions. The organisers of these missions have strong relationships with businesses in your target market. This means they can help you identify, screen and meet potential buyers.

To find a matchmaking programme and/or trade mission in your sector, have a look at the pages of European trade promotion organisations. Examples of governmental organisations are the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI), the Belgian Trade for Development Centre (TDC), the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) and the German Import Promotion Desk (IPD).

8. Invest (time) in online marketing

Online marketing is the best way to attract the attention of potential buyers. You can invest in your own social media account (like Instagram or LinkedIn) or through a website. When you opt for a website, it must be factual, up to date and accurate. Your website must be clear and should provide relevant information regarding:

• your cocoa varieties;
• the history of your farm;
• the origin;
• the story behind your products.

The website or your Instagram account should convey a reliable and unique image. The story you tell is very important, which is why the website should be inspiring. See, for instance, how Xoco Gourmet presents its story in a clear and appealing way, by using photos of farmers and their plantations, or see the website of Nahua Cacao (Costa Rica), which provides interesting information about the flavour profile and specific technical data on the cocoa that the company offers. The website of Kakaw Export (Nicaragua) provides a good example of how to present the origin of the cocoa and the cocoa-producing regions.

Publish regular updates about your cocoa farm and/or cocoa product on social media, for example on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Always pick the right platform and make sure to have attractive, up-to-date profiles. Hence, do not start a YouTube channel if you do not have attractive videos.

Share your story and inform your audience about your activities. This information is also important to chocolate consumers in Europe, as traceability of cocoa products has become very important. An increasing number of chocolate makers communicate the source of their cocoa beans on the product wrapping.

9. Contact your buyers with confidence

Good communication, accurate information and confidence about what you sell are important elements to doing business. Being well prepared will give you the confidence you need, and it will give your potential buyers trust in what you do.

The information you send to your potential buyers needs to be complete and clear. When you email someone at a cocoa-purchasing company, address your emails to the purchasers/buyers (if you know their names), or to the purchasing department. Always write a good introduction about your company and product offer. Important elements to include can be found in our study on doing business with European buyers of cocoa.

It is always good to contact potential buyers by email or telephone in the run-up to trade fairs, usually a couple of weeks before the event. The trade fair is a good reason for contacting them; you could, for instance, propose a meeting at the event to discuss business possibilities together.

Remember that it takes time for a buyer to decide to commit to a new cocoa supplier. Usually, the buyer has a number of good suppliers with longstanding relations. Do not expect to close a deal after you have had a positive meeting or have sent a cocoa sample. Sometimes, it takes one or two years of exchanging information and samples before you get an order.

This study has been carried out on behalf of CBI by ProFound – Advisers In Development.