Raw cocoa nuts for chocolate production. — Photo TTXVN

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Trong Duc Cacao Products Company based in the southern province of Dong Nai has tied up with a Japanese company to produce chocolates for export to Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Trong Duc's director, Dang Truong Khanh, said the company plans to produce around 40 tonnes of fresh cocoa each year for chocolate production.

The company is co-operating with farmers in the districts of Dinh Quan, Tan Phu, Thong Nhat, and Xuan Loc to develop a 1,000ha cocoa growing area to create sustainable sources of materials for chocolate production and export.

To ensure quality, the company has adopted the globally-recognised UTZ quality control programme, which also helps foster sustainable farming. It has so far received UTZ certification for 134ha.

The programme has benefited farmers by reducing production costs and improving productivity and price.

The participating farmers receive free training in the use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Khanh said his company is helping farmers expand clean farming areas with the aim of developing a brand name for Dong Nai cocoa. — VNS