Cocoa cruising to success

A cocoa research project in Vanuatu, that GFAR has been involved in, celebrated a major achievement this week when P&O Cruises launched a new dessert on its menu featuring chocolate made by project partner Sandrine Wallez and her Alternative Communities Trade in Vanuatu (ACTIV) Association.

The premium Aelan-brand chocolate, produced at ACTIV’s small factory near Port Vila using cocoa sourced from several islands, is the first Vanuatu food product to be selected for P&O ship kitchens and featured on its menus. GFAR’s Randy Stringer has been working with Sandrine and smallholder growers for more than four years to improve the quality of their cocoa beans and connect to high-value markets under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research-funded project.