From April 21st to 24th, Belgium proudly hosted the World Cocoa Congress, a global cocoa and chocolate sector event taking place every three years. This conference, which serves as a beacon of collaboration and innovation, brought together all the key stakeholders of the cocoa value chain – governments, cocoa farmers, cooperatives, exporters, traders, manufacturers, brands, retailers, financial institutions, logistics companies, international aid and development agencies, academics, etc. from across the world. Their collective presence and contributions underscore the importance of their roles in shaping the sector’s future.
There was no better way to conclude this edition of the triennial congress than with a port tour of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the cocoa and port community. Luc Arnouts and Rafael Soriano Ortiz, chairman of the ICCO Council, addressed the various actors from the cocoa and chocolate supply chain, including Foodcareplus.
During this tour, the delegation had the opportunity to network with various port players and discuss the role of the port and logistics in the success of the cocoa value chain.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a hub in the cocoa trade
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Foodcareplus’s homeport, offers several advantages for handling and shipping cocoa and chocolate products.
European chocolate, and especially Belgian produced, stands tall as a premium product with significant markets in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. The connectivity of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges into the global markets, and inland within Europe, makes it the ideal platform for global distribution.
Chocolate is exported worldwide, and there is a distinction between the two types of products. On the one hand, finished chocolate products, such as pralines and chocolate bars and on the other hand industrial B2B chocolate applications for further processing in other markets which is mainly transported in industrial blocks that can be melted down again later. Additionally, specialized forms, such as pearls or curls, are used primarily for artisanal applications, like a baker needing smaller quantities of chocolate for pastries or decoration.
International chocolate and confectionery logistics
At Foodcareplus, we contribute meaningfully to the chocolate and confectionery industry. That results from our strategic choice to invest in tailormade intercontinental logistics for over two decades. We encourage our transport architects to continuously deepen their understanding of the chocolate and sweets industry and to apply this knowledge to comprehensive overseas transport solutions. These solutions include consolidation and cross-docking both within and beyond the ports we operate. For exports to North America, our service enhancements include full container load and part-load deliveries, with comprehensive monitoring of temperature, location, and relative humidity.
