Camille Bloch is on course despite exploding cocoa prices
Published: Sunday, Apr 14th 2024, 14:20
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Chocolate manufacturer Camille Bloch is on course despite the rise in cocoa prices and stagnating consumption in Switzerland. To meet the current challenges, the company from the Bernese Jura is relying on tried-and-tested recipes and customer loyalty.
"I'm not worried about the future of chocolate. People are made in such a way that they always have an appetite for sweets," said the company's communications officer, Jessica Herschkowitz, during a visit by Keystone-SDA to the production center in Courtelary BE.
In recent weeks, many international and national media have contacted Swiss chocolate manufacturers to find out how they are reacting to the rise in the price of cocoa. This has doubled since the beginning of the year.
The challenge of climate change and EU regulations
In addition to the high commodity prices of cocoa, as well as sugar and milk powder, Camille Bloch is preparing for two new challenges. One is the expected shortage of cocoa production in the coming years due to climate change and new production methods. The other is due to the latest EU legislation, which prohibits manufacturers from using beans from areas cleared after 2020.
Like all other exporters, Camille Bloch is more than ever obliged to guarantee the complete traceability of its raw materials. However, the company does not use a label for this: "Our chocolate - whose cocoa comes from Peru - is not certified because we do not want to delegate our responsibility to a certificate. We prefer to guarantee the quality of our products ourselves," says Herschkowitz.
For now, Camille Bloch is pleased that the company has been able to increase its sales back to pre-Covid pandemic levels. The pandemic led to a drop in sales of around 15 percent, but annual sales have now risen again to around CHF 60 million.
The company's market share in Switzerland remained stable at 4.8 percent, behind Migros, Coop, Frey and Halba. The number of employees also remained stable (180).
Taking the pulse of the clientele
Camille Bloch is well aware of his position. "We cherish our roots and our values, and we are committed to our independence," Director Daniel Bloch recently told a CNN reporter.
The visitor center, which the chocolatier opened in Courtelary next to the factory in 2017, allows the company to maintain contact with its customers and take their pulse.
Last year, 72,440 people visited the center. Camille Bloch was able to learn a lot about the tastes and preferences of his audience. The latter is extremely consistent and sticks to safe values: the product that works best remains the classic Ragusa, ahead of the dark version and the caramelized blond, which was launched in 2013.
In view of rising raw material prices, Camille Bloch has tried to delay a price increase for its products for as long as possible, but - like other manufacturers - is now having to deal with it.
The hazelnuts from Georgia are delayed
Meanwhile, Camille Bloch is continuing its hazelnut cultivation project in Georgia, despite delays caused by natural disasters. The company's preferred cultivation method proved to be unsuitable for the particular conditions of the 650 hectares of land it had acquired in the Caucasus country.
The chocolate manufacturer launched its Georgia project with the aim of reducing its dependence on Turkey, the main producer of hazelnuts, and being able to grow the product itself. The aim is to ensure that the Ragusa hazelnuts meet the desired quality criteria as well as possible.
"We had some problems due to the vagaries of nature, but we are continuing with the project," said communications officer Jessica Herschkowitz.
The chocolatier wants to appeal to a new, younger audience with new products such as a Ragusa ice cream sold by a fast food chain or a Ragusa donut.
©Keystone/SDA
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