USA – Japanese confectionery giant Meiji Holdings Co. has reaffirmed its commitment to cell-based cocoa start-up California Cultured through a reinvestment after its initial funding in November 2021.
The partnership aims to advance Meiji’s Cocoa Support program, designed to assist cocoa farmers. This recent investment solidifies a 10-year commercial partnership, with California Cultured’s cell-based cocoa integrated into products by Meiji.
The collaboration seeks to establish cocoa cell cultivation technology, fostering a sustainable cocoa value chain to address social issues and ensure a stable raw material supply.
Meiji, as a major player in the confectionery industry, envisions resolving challenges within the cocoa supply chain, a crucial aspect of the chocolate-making process.
California Cultured, founded in 2020, stands out as one of the pioneers in cell-based chocolate production globally, alongside companies like Israel’s Celleste Bio and Finnish giant Fazer.
The company employs innovative techniques, collecting samples from ideal cocoa plants and cultivating cells in fermentation tanks to mimic rainforest conditions.
The rapid, climate-resilient process takes only three to four days from cell harvest to fermentation and roasting, contributing to a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to chocolate production.
Meiji’s renewed investment signifies a significant step toward the global introduction of cell-cultured chocolate. California Cultured’s Flavanol Cocoa Powder, a result of their technology, is set to become a key ingredient in Meiji’s chocolate products.
According to Alan Perlstein, CEO California Cultured, this marks the dawn of a new era for chocolate, emphasizing the vital role of cell-cultured alternatives amid a growing supply gap in the cocoa industry.
Steve Stearns, California Cultured’s head of strategy said, “Meiji came to us because unpredictable weather patterns – including heavy rainfall – have disrupted cacao cultivation, leading to a consecutive year of supply shortages.”
The partnership aims to address these challenges and create a resilient and sustainable supply chain for cocoa.
Beyond the chocolate industry, Meiji has also announced plans to invest US$331 million in a new domestic dairy production facility in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido.
This investment aligns with Meiji’s commitment to stable dairy product provision and replaces deteriorating facilities at existing plants.
Meiji Holdings reported a 4.4 percent increase in net sales for the nine months ending December 2023, reaching US$5.55 billion.
Despite forecasting a 26.5 percent drop in attributable profit for the fiscal year ending March 2024, Meiji remains optimistic about its diversified investments and sustainable growth strategies.
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