Fairtrade’s Divine Chocolate taps into Scandi market with new bar inspired by São Tomé cocoa

Divine Chocolate, the international farmer-owned Fairtrade company, launches across Scandinavia this week with a new bar sourced for the first time from the organization’s cocoa plantations on the West African island of São Tomé.

The cocoa, which is also certified organic, is being used to make an innovative new range of high quality dark chocolate bars through its recently acquired subsidiary House of Fair Trade, a Swedish import and wholesale company.

The launch will take place at the Natural Products Scandinavia​ in MalmöMässan, Sweden, from November 14-15.

AnnCathrine Carlsson, managing director of House of Fair Trade said: “We are delighted that our first launch under new ownership of Divine Chocolate is to bring this exciting new high cocoa organic range to the Scandinavian market. There is a big opportunity to attract new customers with these new 85% cocoa products, as consumers are becoming more mindful of health trends, and this range with higher cocoa and less sugar taps into a growing desire for more healthful treats. The range is certified Fairtrade, Organic, non-GMO and Vegan and offers bars in five delicious variations. Our innovative flavor combinations include ginger and turmeric, refreshing lemon, and blueberry and popped quinoa​.”

Divine says it is using cocoa from the CECAQ-11 in São Tomé, a farmers’ co-operative, which was originally made up of 11 farmer village associations and now has 20. The farmers will receive the Fairtrade premium on top of the price of the organic cocoa, and Divine is also considering how it can support the farmers to develop their co-operative and increase their yield.