With the arrival of the Spanish in Mesoamerica in the 16th century, cocoa was exported to Europe. Photo: Russia Today
Valentine’s Day is a special day for many people celebrating love and friendship. This festival, which has Roman origins, usually presents gifts of sweets, flowers and chocolates, a jam in which the Mexican industry plays an important role.
According to the latest data released by the Bank of Mexico, the country exported $699.73 million worth of cocoa and derivatives from January to November 2022, the highest level the sector has reached post-pandemic.
The tradition of giving away chocolates on February 14 originated in the 19th century when the English company Cadbury began making boxes of the product decorated with cupids and flowers. According to figures shared with RT by the Mexican Association of Chocolate, Confectionery and Related Manufacturers (Aschoco), an estimated 40 million units are currently being sold worldwide.
The organization notes that chocolate has become a must-have item on Valentine’s Day because of its delicate aroma, flavor and delicate texture, as well as its indulgent taste and an ideal gift for celebrations.
“The quality of cocoa grown in our country varies greatly and some beans have managed to position themselves for the production of high-end chocolates, even winning international awards,” says Aschoco.
Chocolate is still made as it was in pre-Hispanic times in the indigenous community of Xochistlahuaca, in Guerrero state, photo taken November 5, 2021. Photo: Jan Sochor / Gettyimages.ru
Consumption of national chocolate also helps preserve Mexican culture, heritage and traditions, given the history and importance of cacao, a plant native to Mexico, the organization emphasizes.
Historical evidence shows that the Olmec culture (1,600 BC) was the first to use cocoa to prepare a flavorful beverage. Over the years, the tradition spread to the Aztec (1,400 BC) and Mayan (600 BC) civilizations, who used the seed as currency and in bitter-tasting concoctions consumed by government high command and some rituals were used.
With the arrival of the Spanish in Mesoamerica in the 16th century, cocoa was exported to Europe, where it became popular by being incorporated into sweet recipes that over time evolved into the product we know today.
Despite being the cradle of cocoa, Mexico currently ranks thirteenth in world production of the seed and represents only 0.5% of world consumption.
The country is also not a leader when it comes to chocolate consumption, because compared to other countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, where between 10.8 and 11 kilos of chocolate are bought per capita and year, the average Mexican consumes only one kilo, says Aschoco. .
Despite the intense competition and constant evolution of the global market, the Mexican industry has successfully adapted to the new demands of consumers, increasing wholesale chocolate sales by 25.1% last December compared to the same month of 2021, according to figures from Association.
To guarantee the quality and flavor of the chocolate, many Mexican companies have regained artisan production methods, while others work directly with national inputs to support the local economy and preserve the country’s tradition.
This is the case of Procali, a 100% Mexican company specializing in the manufacture of chocolate products and their derivatives for the food industry.
In 1972, in their small apartment in Mexico City, Mr. Gilberto Gálvez and his wife Hevila Prevost created the product that still leads the company’s sales today: a chocolate couverture for the bakery industry.
Over the years, Procesadora de Alimentos, now Procali, has grown and currently has a factory with four production lines in the municipality of Pedro Escobedo, in the state of Querétaro, where not only bread but also chocolates for confectionery and frozen products are supplied.
In the wake of the pandemic, Procali is offering virtual and face-to-face classes to demonstrate the different uses of chocolate and help people become self-employed. Photo: Russia Today
“An innovation from Procali was to sell this top product, called ‘chocolate for baking’, in one-kilo tablets RT. corporate marketing.
Procali was founded in 1952, today the company has a plant in the state of Querétaro with a production capacity of 4,762 tons per year.
The company recognizes that today’s market is not the same as it was 50 years ago as “the chocolate industry is constantly evolving”.
With that in mind, trends suggest that in 2023, consumers will prefer products with fair prices and immediate quality, as well as plant-based and healthier chocolates made from sustainable, organic and biodegradable materials and packaging, Aschoco said.
“We need affordable prices and commercial agreements with local suppliers for all types of inputs,” confirmed Riebeling, who stressed that chocolate consumption in Mexico is increasing thanks to a renewed preference for more sustainable and healthier products.
However, he insists that “what you call ‘pleasure’ in the pastry shop, that little permission you give yourself, hasn’t been lost yet.” According to the latest data from Aschoco, the Mexican chocolate market is worth $23 billion pesos (about $1,237.4 million).
The pandemic played a key role for the chocolate industry as it emphasized the importance of consuming products from reliable suppliers and made from natural ingredients, as well as the importance of consuming local and healthy food.
In the wake of the pandemic, Procali is offering virtual and face-to-face classes to demonstrate the different uses of chocolate and help people become self-employed.
Companies like Procali fit well into the new dynamic by using 100% Mexican-origin cocoa and selling it in “real” presentations, which is what chocolate bars with more than 30% cocoa or cocoa butter content are called.
In this sense, Riebeling shared that after the health emergency, the company took measures to be able to respond to the new normal. One of these was running virtual and face-to-face courses to demonstrate the different uses of chocolate and to help people become self-employed.
It is estimated that the Mexican chocolate industry creates 57,000 direct jobs, in addition to another 124,000 indirect jobs, Aschoco said.
Today the sector faces new situations. Among them was the conflict in Ukraine, which Priscila Riebeling acknowledged was affecting Procali “more than the Covid,” forcing the company to consolidate new commercial alliances with local suppliers. Foreign competition is also another challenge as the traditional Mexican chocolate manufacturing process is lost and local players are underestimated.
“The chocolate market in Mexico is very broad, but we see that Mexican chocolate companies have less and less market share, it’s a reality,” lamented the representative.
Procali was founded in 1952, today the company has a plant in the state of Querétaro with a production capacity of 4,762 tons per year. Photo: RussiaToday
Regarding Valentine’s Day, Procali says that the date is one of the most emblematic for the sector, since on this day chocolate is positioned as a product in its own right and not as a complement to confectionery or bakery products.
“It is an important date when we can sell other products, such as quality chocolate, but a substitute that sells well,” Riebeling specifies. “It’s also a date when our customers are looking for real chocolate a lot,” he added.
According to figures presented on February 8th by Alicia Páramo, director of Aschoco, Valentine’s Day accounts for 10% of annual chocolate sales in Mexico.
(Taken from Russia Today)