Ivory Coast sets up first chocolate factory for cocoa farmers

In a new effort to help farmers get more benefits from cocoa production, the government of Ivory Coast has built the country’s first chocolate factory to make products that fetch a much higher price than the bean.
Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow, reporting after a visit to the factory in Abidjan, said: “The factory has the capacity to convert Ivorian cocoa beans into 10,000 chocolate products every year. It’s the first step of what the government calls the journey towards becoming the world’s leading grinder of cocoa.”
Ibrahim Kone, a marketing manager for the factory, told Al Jazeera the factory has also created more job opportunities, which are vital for the country as it emerges from a major conflict.
Massandje Toure-Litse, who heads Ivory Coast’s Cocoa and Coffee Council, said: “The government is trying to attract foreign investment in the country’s cocoa sector.
“Our dream is to dominate the global cocoa industry someday soon.”
Ivory Coast is the world’s biggest exporter of cocoa beans.
(Source, Aljazeera)