Chocolates produced in Ondo State, South West Nigeria, will hit European markets from July beginning with the United Kingdom (UK).
The chocolates are produced at the recently-completed Sunshine Chocolate Factory at Alade Idanre in the state, to boost its economic development.
Managing Director of the Company, Robo Adhuze, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Akure that export of chocolate bars from Nigeria would increase revenue from non-oil exports.
He said the chocolate bars would be launched in London by the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Amb. Sarafa Isola.
Adhuze said: “The Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK is eager to launch the product in London. He has even invited us to the UK to exhibit our products, but we are waiting to complete all necessary documentation.
“We are the ones slowing things down as we want to ensure a hitch-free exercise otherwise, the launch would have taken place in February.
“The launch of the chocolate in London in July will be the precursor to the exportation of our products to the UK. This year, we would have our first official export as virtually everything is set. Documentation in Nigeria and in the UK is the only issue we are tackling now.”
He also told NAN that soon after hitting Europe, the chocolates would be exported to Canada and the U.S. before the end of year.
He said the company’s exploratory team to Canada would return soon after which a date would be fixed for its launch in that country.
He added that the U.S. belt would follow in quick succession, even as the chocolate bars were already on sale there and in other parts of the world, though unofficially.
“The scheduled official launches would bring in foreign exchange as all documentation must have been completed,” he added.
The launch of the chocolate in London in July will be the precursor to the exportation of our products to the UK. This year, we would have our first official export as virtually everything is set.
The Sunshine Chocolate Factory is a Public Private Partnership between the Ondo State Government and an indigenous company, Schokville Ltd.
Adhuze informed that the state was not interfering in its operations, even as it is a stakeholder, and expressed the company’s appreciation to the government for its support and patronage.
He said the company’s chocolates are the first to be produced in Nigeria from farm to bar, with all the process monitored from the planting of the cocoa used.
Sunshine Chocolate Company has 277 employees, 80% of whom are Ondo State indigenes.
Ondo State is the leading producer of Cocoa in Nigeria. Until now, the country exports more than 80% of her cocoa beans without value addition. (NAN)
