WHAT IS THE CHOCOLATE BONUS?
The Chocolate Bonus is a unique feature of the Cacao-Trace program. It’s directly linked to the volume of Cacao-Trace certified chocolate sold, ensuring that every purchase contributes to:
- Boosting farmer incomes
- Funding vital community projects, such as
- 72 new water facilities (towers, tanks, and pumps)
- 7 school infrastructure projects
- 11,130 school kits
QUALITY PREMIUM: REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN COCOA
In addition to the chocolate bonus, Cacao-Trace farmers receive a Quality Premium—a payment above the farmgate price—for delivering high-quality wet cocoa beans. This incentive not only improves livelihoods but also ensures the exceptional taste of Belcolade’s chocolate.
“GREAT TASTE, DOING GOOD”: A DECADE OF IMPACT
As Cacao-Trace approaches its 10th anniversary, the programme has now distributed over €10 million in chocolate bonuses since its inception. According to Youri Dumont, Chocolate Business Unit Lead at Belcolade:
“Our guiding principle is ‘Great Taste, Doing Good.’ The success of Cacao-Trace proves that ethical chocolate can deliver both exceptional flavour and meaningful social impact.
GLOBAL EXPANSION AND INNOVATION IN COCOA PROCESSING
2024 also saw major advancements in Cacao-Trace’s global operations:
- New grinding line in Mexico and roasting line in Vietnam for enhanced quality control
- Post-harvest center in Peru capable of fermenting over 1,000 tons of beans annually
- Over 150 customer visits to Cacao-Trace facilities, increasing transparency and awareness
These innovations ensure that every bar of Belcolade chocolate meets the highest standards of taste and sustainability.
LOOKING AHEAD: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR CHOCOLATE
Cacao-Trace is not slowing down. The programme is:
- Ahead of schedule in planting 1.2 million trees by the end of 2025
- On track to reach 25,000 farmers in 2025
- Targeting an €8 million chocolate bonus by 2030, benefiting 50,000 farmers
