Entry: Yoshinori Doi, Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
We had a hot summer this year in Japan.
It reminds me of WCF Ecuador Cocoa Tour in May 2008.
And it was my great pleasure to visit Ecuador on their Independence Day.
Through the tour, I’ve come to realize that people in Ecuador are very proud of their own cocoa, especially “Arriba” flavour, and they have a great history of their cocoa industry.
I could learn about the whole supply chain through visiting small and large farms, farmers’ associations, middlemen, research centers and exporters.
In addition, we can see the marvelous artwork at Guayaquil Airport. It seems to represent Ecuadorian cocoa history and industries, which I could learn from WCF tour.
Nowadays chocolate industry in Japan is in a difficult situation about chemical issue.
But I really understand they have been trying very hard to resolve it.
And I’m sure we can keep quite a good relationship eternally.
My sincere thanks to Bill, Robert, Virginia, everyone concerned in Ecuador and the delegates of the well organized tour.
It was an unforgettable tour for me, along with the Ghana tour in 2007.
