Summary
- Profile Type
- Business Offer
- POD Reference
- BOCO20251212019
- Term of Validity
- 12 December 2025 - 12 December 2026
- Company's Country
- Colombia
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
- Commercial agreement
- Targeted Countries
- France
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Germany
- Finland
- Belgium
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General information
- Short Summary
- Colombian producer association offers organically certified cacao beans and processed cocoa (liquor/paste and couvertures) and seeks European partners for commercial and investment agreements. Based in Algeciras (Huila), the association provides traceable cacao compliant with EU cadmium limits and EUDR requirements, aiming for direct trade and long-term sustainability.
- Full Description
-
APROCALG K-KAO is a Colombian cacao producers’ association located in Algeciras, department of Huila. The territory is classified as PDET and ZOMAC, with a strong agricultural vocation. Established over 21 years ago, the association represents 98 cacao-producing families managing approximately 256 hectares of cacao, most of which are organically certified.
The association is certified under Colombia’s Green Markets program by the Ministry of Environment and ProColombia, and has completed basic cacao standards certification supported by the Swiss cooperation program SIPPO. APROCALG is currently advancing toward Fair for Life certification. Its production and commercialization activities include organic cacao beans, as well as processed cocoa products such as cocoa liquor/paste and cocoa couvertures in different presentations and cocoa percentages.
APROCALG operates centralized post-harvest facilities that standardize fermentation and drying, ensuring consistent quality and lot-level traceability. Products are supported by technical datasheets per lot, laboratory testing, and cadmium content within EU regulatory limits. The association is preparing and aligning compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), reinforcing transparency and market access readiness.
The association participates in national and regional cacao fairs and competitions. In 2024, APROCALG received the “Most Sustainable and Inclusive Cacao in Colombia” award at the Cacao de Oro competition. It has also participated in the Salón del Chocolate de Perú (Lima) and has been selected by FEDECACAO to represent Colombia in the Cocoa of Excellence Awards process.
APROCALG seeks direct commercial relationships with buyers and partners in the European Union, United States, and Switzerland who value certified, traceable, and responsibly produced cacao. The objective is to strengthen direct trade, achieve fairer pricing for member producers, and co-develop value-added initiatives that improve income stability, capabilities, and territorial development. - Advantages and Innovations
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APROCALG K-KAO’s differentiation is rooted in its collective producer model, certified organic production, and standardized post-harvest processing. Centralized fermentation and drying enable consistent quality and reproducible sensory profiles across lots, while lot-based documentation supports due diligence and buyer requirements.
The association offers multiple product formats—beans, cocoa liquor/paste, and couvertures—allowing partners to select inputs aligned with their processing and market strategies. Compliance with EU cadmium thresholds, laboratory testing, and EUDR alignment reduces regulatory risk for European buyers.
Social innovation is integral to the model: APROCALG operates to improve producer incomes through direct trade, fair pricing, and capacity building. Recognition through national and international awards validates its sustainability and inclusion practices.
APROCALG holds a registered brand in Colombia (K-KAO) and positions itself as a long-term partner capable of combining quality, compliance, and measurable social and environmental impact. - Stage of Development
- Lab tested
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- IPR status
- No IPR applied
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
APROCALG seeks partners that go beyond transactional purchasing to build long-term, impact-oriented cooperation. Suitable partners include:
Importers, processors, and chocolate manufacturers seeking certified organic cacao beans or semi-finished products (liquor/paste, couvertures).
Specialty traders and distributors focused on direct trade and origin-based sourcing.
Universities, NGOs, and impact investors interested in co-developing projects that strengthen infrastructure, installed capacity, quality systems, and innovation at origin.
Partners may act as buyers, distributors, co-investors, or project collaborators. Expected contributions include market access, co-development of value-added products, support for certification and compliance, and collaboration on transversal projects that improve post-harvest processes, logistics, traceability systems, and producer capabilities. The cooperation aims to secure fair pricing, stable demand, and shared value creation across the cacao value chain. - Type and Size of Partner
- University
- SME 11-49
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
- Commercial agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 08001003 - Food Packaging / Handling
- 08001004 - Food Processing
- 08001005 - Food Technology
- 08002004 - Traceability of food
- Market keywords
- 07003002 - Health food
- 04001001 - Agricultural genetic engineering applications
- 07005001 - Fast food restaurants
- 05008002 - Food and feed ingredients
- 05009001 - Food & feed ingredients
- Sector Groups Involved
- Agri-Food
- Targeted countries
- France
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Germany
- Finland
- Belgium
Images
Files
Acta CERTIFICADO LBCS APROCALG - Aprocalg Algeciras.pdf
Brochure kkao -APROCALG - Aprocalg Algeciras.pdf
APROCALG - Certificate NOP ESTADOS UNIDOS - Aprocalg Algeciras.pdf
Aprocalg CADMIO RESULTADO - Aprocalg Algeciras.pdf
Videos
PITCH _FUNDACION AURELIO LLANOS