PISA: Producing Certified Cacao for Better Prices and Traceability Along the Value Chain

In 2014, PISA set out to revolutionize the Haitian cacao industry by becoming the first private company to use central fermentation to produce high-quality cacao. By eliminating intermediaries and purchasing directly from smallholder farmers, PISA was able to pay fair prices above the commodity market.

When clients demanded organic certified beans, PISA obtained its certification in 2016. And in 2019, PISA took it one step further by obtaining the Fairtrade certification Fair for Life - FFL, which allowed the company to expand its market even further.

To meet certification requirements, PISA has implemented robust traceability procedures, with every bag of cacao purchased now bearing the names of APROCANO's members who contributed to its production. PISA has also recruited a team of around 130 trained agents to oversee internal control, plot visits, cacao buying, and traceability at the producer cell level.

Thanks to the FFL certification, APROCANO has benefited from bonus earnings that go into a development fund to invest in the organization's members and activities. As Maxime Lucsone from APROCANO's FFL funds committee explained, "We now have a development fund that will allow us to make investments in our communities, creating a more sustainable and equitable future for our members and contributing to the overall well-being of the region."

Despite the challenges, PISA's efforts have paid off, and the company is proud to produce high-quality Haitian cacao with the help of APROCANO's recognized network of producers.

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