Company Overview
Terroir Cocoa is a vertically integrated, family-owned agricultural enterprise specializing in the cultivation, fermentation, and artisanal processing of fine-flavor cacao. Founded in 1987, the company operates a 215-hectare estate in Ecuador's Napo Valley, producing single-origin cocoa beans and premium chocolate bars for wholesale, retail, and specialty foodservice markets worldwide.
Headquarters: Quito, Ecuador (Administrative) / Napo Valley, Ecuador (Operations)
Legal Structure: Private Limited Company (S.A.)
Core Business: Cacao agriculture, bean processing, chocolate manufacturing, direct-to-consumer retail, B2B wholesale
Founded: 1987
Ownership: Delacroix Family Trust (100%)
Mission: To cultivate exceptional cacao through regenerative agriculture while delivering traceable, ethically produced chocolate that respects origin, craft, and community.
Key Operational & Financial Metrics (FY 2023)
Product Portfolio & Specifications
| Product Line | Cacao % | Origin / Variety | Processing | Packaging | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terroir Dark Series | 72%, 85% | Ecuador / Nacional (CCN-51 hybrid) | Stone-ground, 72hr conched | 70g foil-wrapped bar, recyclable sleeve | 18 months |
| Single Estate Reserve | 88% | Venezuela / Criollo Chuao | Cold-pressed, minimal conching | 70g artisanal box, biodegradable wrap | 12 months |
| Artisanal Milk Collection | 48%, 55% | Madagascar / Trinitario | High-shear conching, whole milk solids | 90g bar, kraft paper | 14 months |
| Raw Cocoa Nibs & Powder | N/A | Multi-origin blend | Low-temp roasted, stone-milled | 250g vacuum-sealed pouch | 24 months |
| B2B Bulk Beans | Roasted / Unroasted | Estate-grown, traceable lots | Sun-dried, 6-day fermented | 60kg jute bags with QR traceability | 24 months (sealed) |
Agricultural & Processing Specifications
Farm Operations
- Total Cultivated Area 215 hectares (170 active cacao, 45 agroforestry buffer)
- Tree Count ~52,000 mature cacao trees
- Primary Varieties Nacional, Trinitario, Criollo (heritage clones)
- Canopy Shade 60-70% (Inga, Gliricidia, native timber)
- Harvest Cycle Year-round (primary: Mar-May, Sep-Nov)
- Yield per Hectare 0.8 - 1.1 MT dry beans
Processing Facility
- Fermentation Method Controlled box fermentation (6-7 days, 4 turns)
- Drying Process Hybrid solar-airflow beds (4-5 days)
- Roasting Capacity 1,200 kg/day (batch & continuous)
- Winnowing Efficiency 99.4% nib recovery rate
- Conching Equipment 3x 2.5T disc mills, 1x 500L planetary conche
- Traceability System Blockchain-enabled lot tracking (farm → bar)
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
| Metric | 2022 Baseline | 2023 Actual | 2025 Target | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint (CO₂e/ton beans) | 1.82 t | 1.45 t | ≤1.1 t | On Track |
| Water Usage Efficiency (L/kg beans) | 4.2 L | 3.6 L | ≤3.0 L | On Track |
| Waste Diverted from Landfill | 78% | 89% | 95% | Exceeding |
| Shade Trees Planted | 4,200 | 5,850 | 6,000+ | Exceeding |
| Fair Premium Paid Above Market | 22% | 28% | 30% | On Track |
*Data audited by EcoCert Agro annually. Carbon offset program covers Scope 1 & 2 emissions; Scope 3 tracking initiated in Q3 2024.
Certifications & Compliance
All processing facilities undergo quarterly third-party audits. Supply chain complies with EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Ivory Coast/Liberia Cocoa Protocol standards.
Executive Leadership & Governance
| Name | Title | Background & Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Elena Delacroix | CEO & Founder | 3rd generation steward. B.S. Agricultural Economics (ESPOL). 32 years leadership. Oversees strategy & estate operations. |
| Marcus Thorne | COO | 15 years in agri-processing. Previously VP at Cacao Horizon. Manages farm logistics, QA, and expansion projects. |
| Dr. Sofia Ríos | Head of Agronomy & R&D | Ph.D. Plant Pathology. Leads varietal selection, soil health, fermentation optimization, and pest management. |
| David Chen | CFO | CPA, CFA. 12 years in agri-food finance. Manages treasury, B2B contracts, and investor reporting. |
Distribution & Market Presence
Primary Markets: North America (42%), Western Europe (31%), East Asia (18%), Domestic (9%)
Sales Channels:
• B2B Wholesale (Specialty roasters, hotels, chefs): 64%
• DTC E-commerce & Retail: 28%
• Licensing & Co-manufacturing: 8%
Key Partners: Nordic Bean Collective, Saffron Road Imports, The Chocolate Institute, PanAm Specialty Foods
Lead Times: 14-21 days (standard), 7 days (premium/express)
MOQ: 500 kg (beans), 200 cases (finished goods)
Incoterms: FOB Guayaquil, CIF Major Ports, DAP North America
Payment Terms: Net 30 (vetted accounts), 50/50 LC, Wire Transfer
Contact & Corporate Information
Quito, Pichincha 170505, Ecuador
Napo Valley, Ecuador 170505