20 | Wellington: Whittaker’s REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Samoan success Whittaker’s is focused on using quality, locally sourced ingredients. from page 19 10 Herbert Street, Melling, Lower Hutt 5010 www.excel .co.nz 04 568 8627 Refrigeration Air Conditioning Specialists Commercial | Industrial 10 Herbert Street, Melling, Lower Hutt 5010 j.roskvist@excel.co.nz It’s just one part of Whittaker’s commitment to sustainability, which also includes sourcing of local ingredients, including the Whittaker’s Cocoa Improvement Programme. James and Holly are proud that the programme, which started in 2014, has helped to rejuvenate the cocoa export industry in Samoa. The programme expanded in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in 2017 helping to turn around Samoa’s cocoa export industry with yields at the farms participating in it doubling since its inception. James says that in 2014, average cocoa yields at the participating farms in Samoa were at 150kg, and as a result of the programme, are now at 300kg per hectare of dried cocoa bean, with exports doubling from 15 tonnes to 30 tonnes per year, and 400 growers applying new growing and post-harvest techniques on their farms. HACCP 735973 HACCP 735973 HACCP 735973 HACCP 735973 to page 22
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