[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”background_image” _module_preset=”default” background_image=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” background_position=”top_center” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” transform_translate_linked=”off” z_index=”50000″ width=”95%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(51,51,51,0.6)” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#E4E4E4″ text_font_size=”57px” text_line_height=”1em” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#E4E4E4″ header_font_size=”60px” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#E4E4E4″ header_2_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”83%” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”24.8px” custom_margin=”251px||251px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”300px||300px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”300px||300px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”16px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Chocolate is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Present in our homes throughout the year as an indulgence. Yet behind a simple square of chocolate lies a long and complex supply chain that starts far away. <\/p>\n
Every year, approximately 110,000 tons of cocoa beans arrive at Italian ports destined for the national confectionery industry\u2014a steady flow connecting Italy to the world\u2019s main cocoa-producing regions. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” width=”95%” module_alignment=”right” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1614594828329.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”250px||250px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1614593412749-1.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”250px||250px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#336190″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#AD0717″ header_2_font_size=”55px” header_3_text_color=”#369090″ header_3_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||29px|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”55px” header_2_font_size_phone=”45px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Componente-31-\u2013-1.png” title_text=”Componente 31 \u2013 1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-10px||9px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”130px|||||” custom_margin_phone=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”16px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Almost all imported beans come from West Africa, particularly Ghana and Ivory Coast, with smaller shares from Nigeria and Ecuador. The plantations are either owned by confectionery companies, international traders, or local cooperatives that aggregate the work of local producers. <\/p>\n
Cocoa pods, large and elongated, are harvested manually and opened directly on-site. The seeds inside\u2014the beans\u2014are left to dry for several days before being packed in 60-kilogram jute sacks, ready for maritime transport. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Sezione” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” min_height=”500px” custom_margin=”||||false|true” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||7%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||7%|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10%||10%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”47px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”46px” custom_margin=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”16px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
For more than twenty-five years, cocoa bean transport methods have remained largely unchanged. Jute remains the preferred packaging material because it allows natural ventilation, essential to protect the beans from moisture, one of cocoa\u2019s main enemies. <\/p>\n
With their woody consistency, the beans are particularly sensitive to mould and rot. Containers are fitted with cardboard dunnage, to protect from condensation due to temperature fluctuations between loading and unloading. <\/p>\n
Over time, shipping companies have proposed alternative solutions to reduce moisture risks, but the sector continues to favour the traditional approach, supported by both the jute lobby and cocoa operators.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1614593439693-1.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”400px” custom_padding=”||178px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E4E4E4″ width=”100%” min_height=”500px” custom_margin=”||||false|true” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||7%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||7%|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10%||10%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”47px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”46px” custom_margin=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”16px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/p>\n Imports are mainly managed by traders, who supply batches to confectionery companies. The approximately 4,500 containers destined for the Italian market arrive primarily between December and May, each carrying around 25 tons. <\/p>\n Since the cargo is not palletized, unloading is done manually, and containers undergo fumigation to prevent infestation. Introducing a single contaminated batch into large warehouses could cause significant damage, which is why quality checks are extremely stringent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1614613461775.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”400px” custom_padding=”||178px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#336190″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#AD0717″ header_2_font_size=”55px” header_3_text_color=”#369090″ header_3_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||29px|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”55px” header_2_font_size_phone=”45px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/finsea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Componente-31-\u2013-1.png” title_text=”Componente 31 \u2013 1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-10px||9px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”130px|||||” custom_margin_phone=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” custom_padding=”16px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n From Italian ports\u2014primarily Genoa, followed by La Spezia and Vado Ligure\u2014cocoa beans continue their journey by road to intermediate warehouses. The cargo is then opened and cleaned using hopper-like machinery that removes impurities such as stones, leaves, twine or metal fragments. <\/p>\n Depending on the needs of individual recipients, the beans can then be:<\/p>\n From this point, the transformation begins that will ultimately produce the finished product: chocolate.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Sezione” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chocolate is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Present in our homes throughout the year as an indulgence. Yet behind a simple square of chocolate lies a long and complex supply chain that starts far away. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":987586227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-987586521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-land-transport-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987586521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=987586521"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987586521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":987586523,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987586521\/revisions\/987586523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/987586227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=987586521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=987586521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finsea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=987586521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}From Port to Factory<\/h2>\n
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