Johnvents Industries processes 5,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in six months

Barely six months after the launch of its multimillion-dollar factory in Ondo State, Johnvents Industries Limited, the leading indigenous cocoa processing company in Nigeria, says it has processed about 5,000 metric tonnes of cocoa for export, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

“One of our goals at launch was to contribute our quota in helping to realise Nigeria’s cocoa export potential estimated to the tune of $4B – $5B. We are proud to say that in six months, we are well on our way to achieving this goal. Our production capacity utilization has moved from 20 percent in December 2021 to 66 percent in May 2022,” John Alamu, the Managing Director of Johnvents Industries, stated during a stakeholder session on the company’s milestone achievements since its launch last December.

According to him, cocoa cake and cocoa butter are the two major derivatives of Johnvents Industries processing business. He disclosed that the company operates one of the largest cocoa processing factories in Nigeria and have invested over N3 billion to revamp and kickstart operation.

“At the beginning, we envisioned massive job creation for our indigenous talents and we are on that path already. We have engaged over 200 people working at the cocoa processing factory, part of whom are top talents in the industry with a world-class experience,” Alamu stated.

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Caroline Omotosho, manager, business, sales and operations, Johnvents Industries, while commenting on the company’s integration agenda, revealed that Johnvents is eager to impact the global ecosystem with sustained value to the local value-chain within a short time.

“As we have been able to achieve impressive growth in our production within a short window, we are excited about the audacity of our forward and backward integration plan and what it means for the industry. We have introduced our retail product, the Johnvents pure cocoa powder, into the local market. Cocoa is one of nature’s greatest gifts to mankind packed with bountiful health and nutritional benefits. We believe it is not enough that we export cocoa cake and cocoa butter, we also want Nigerians to incorporate healthy meals in their diets and enjoy the benefits of Cocoa,” Omotosho stated.

According to her, the cocoa processing company is well aligned with the global realities of traceability and responsible sourcing, which informed its backward integration plans bordered on sustainability.

“While the product is available in 200g and 100g respectively, we also have it in 5g sachets to allow a majority of the population access and afford the awesome nourishment of pure cocoa. As an organization, we have always adhered to the highest standards to ensure sustainable agriculture,” Omotosho stated.

According to her, in February 2022, Johnvents Industries limited launched its 15,000 metric tonnes automated cocoa processing factory in Akure and announced its first export to the tune of $1 million.