PRESS RELEASE

THOUSANDS OF CACAO FARMERS EARN EXTRA INCOME FROM CACAO FRUIT JUICE THAT HAD BEEN LOST FOR CENTURIES

Ivory Coast, August 2025 – The Chocolonely Foundation and Kumasi Drinks, together with ETG/Beyond Beans, have taken a historic step with the opening of the first factory in Ivory Coast that processes cacao fruit juice at scale. The white pulp surrounding the cacao bean, discarded for centuries, is now being used as a flavorful ingredient, offering thousands of farmers a new and sustainable source of income.

Starting this September, the facility will deliver its first 30,000 liters to its first major customer, the Ivorian juice brand Ivorio. By next year, production will already rise to 300,000 liters. This marks a crucial milestone toward a fairer and more sustainable cacao industry.

From waste to value

Kumasi was founded in 2021, when journalist Lars Gierveld, while making a documentary for RTL/Videoland, witnessed firsthand how West African farmers still struggle to make a living from selling only cacao beans. He began experimenting with the fresh, sweet juice (with its tropical fruit flavor) that was being wasted in large quantities. Together with Rogiér Power and Linda Klunder, he launched Kumasi, introducing the juice as a soft drink to the European market.

But the juice turned out to be suitable for far more applications: soft drinks, chocolate fillings, dairy, ice cream, cocktails, wine, beer, and more. That’s why Kumasi not only sells the tropical fruit juice under its own brand but also supplies it to other brands.

Lars Gierveld: “The more cacao fruit juice is used, the more extra income farmers earn. It’s actually absurd that for all this time only the beans were used and the fruit was thrown away. Especially when you realize it’s an exotic fruit with a refreshing tropical taste—and that most cacao farmers can barely make ends meet with only the bean.”

A joint mission for a fairer cacao industry

The collaboration between Kumasi and the Chocolonely Foundation is no coincidence. Both organizations aim to fundamentally change the cacao industry. The Chocolonely Foundation supports projects and organizations that contribute to a dignified livelihood in cacao communities in Ivory Coast and Ghana, focusing on activities outside Tony’s direct supply chain. Kumasi enables farmers to generate more value from their harvest by using not only the beans but the whole fruit.

Growing impact through local production

Co-founder Linda Klunder moved to Ivory Coast two years ago—the country that produces about half of the world’s cacao—to set up the factory on the ground. More than 5,000 farmers will soon be delivering their cacao fruit. Through ETG/Beyond Beans, they receive local training and, without additional work, a direct payment for the juice they supply. The first productions for the Ivorian market will start in September this year.

Anna Laven, Head of the Board, Chocolonely Foundation:

“The strength of this partnership lies in the domino effect: many of the farmers who already work with Tony’s now also benefit from pressing cacao juice, generating extra income from the same cacao beans. That’s an important step toward higher incomes and a fairer sector. Together we are building strong, resilient cacao communities and a chocolate industry where equality is the norm, not the exception.”

In addition to the Chocolonely Foundation, several impact investors and funds are involved, including Unknown Group (The Hague), Mudita Coop (Rotterdam), RVO, and IDH.