Vanuatu is an important part of the Wellington Chocolate Factory story. The majority of our cacao comes from this tiny Pacific Island nation, where we work with Olivier Fernandez and his business, Gaston Chocolat, to source exceptional Vanuatu cocoa.
We've been working with Olivier since 2021. Named after his grandfather, Gaston Chocolat partners with farmers across Vanuatu's islands, supporting them through the harvest and post-harvest process to produce the cacao that eventually finds its way into our chocolate.
Visiting Malekula Island
In 2022, our co-founder Gabe and general manager Matt travelled to Vanuatu to meet the people behind our cacao. Their journey took them to Malekula Island, one of Vanuatu's larger islands and home to some of the farmers growing cacao for our chocolate.
During their visit, Gabe and Matt were welcomed into Pinalum Village with a shell of kava, a traditional drink with an important place in social and community life across Vanuatu.
One of the best moments from the trip was seeing our Vanuatu chocolate make its way back to the people who helped produce it.
Louis, a farmer on Malekula Island, had the chance to try our Vanuatu chocolate bar made using cacao from his home.
For us, that's part of what makes direct relationships with our Pacific neighbours so special. We get to know the people behind our ingredients, and they get to see what their work becomes.
Planning for a resilient future
Many of Vanuatu's cacao plantations are ageing. Without replanting, the country's cocoa industry faces the risk of declining production, making it harder for the next generation to see cocoa farming as a viable long-term livelihood.
The need for this work became particularly clear following the devastating earthquake that struck Vanuatu in December 2024. The quake caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the country's main wharf, disrupting exports and creating major challenges for Olivier's business. In the aftermath, we raised funds to support Gaston Chocolat to support a key cocoa shipment to New Zealand and the development of the new tree nursery.
By working directly with our partners in Vanuatu and having a deeper knowledge of who they are and the challenges they face we're able to help them build a more resilient future. For us it's more than just making delicious chocolate, it's knowing the real people behind it and connecting people and places across the Pacific.
