If you're in the US:
Reach out to teamusa@cacaolatitudes.com to order

If you're in Europe:
Reach out to teameurope@cacaolatitudes.com to order

They will walk you through the process & steps for buying from Cacao Latitudes.

Step 1: Email your region with the number of bags/weight you would like of each quality

Step 2: Cacao Latitudes will set you up as a new supplier and issue an invoice with payment details

Step 3: Payment can be done via bank transfer with details on the invoice coming from Cacao Latitudes

Step 4: To ensure speedy shipment please include the invoice number as a reference in your bank transfer and confirm via email payment

Step 5: You'll receive confirmation from our team that we have received payment and depending on delivery terms you can pick up the bags or the team will let you know the delivery timetable.

We offer two purchasing options designed to give you clarity and reliability: Spot Purchases and Forward Contracts.

Spot Purchases

• These apply to beans already available in our warehouse.
• A 100% prepayment is required to secure and release the stock, unless specific terms apply.
• Once payment is received and the beans are allocated to you, orders cannot be changed or cancelled. Any signs of damage or non-conformity upon arrival, please see our return policy.

Forward Contracts

• Forward Contracts reserve future volumes that we secure specifically for you.
• They require a signed contract and a firm commitment to take delivery during a specific delivery period no greater than 3 months.
• Please note:
  • Failure to take delivery during specific delivery period will result in additional charges
  • Customers who fail to take delivery will loose access to forward contracting and may lose access to credit terms

We organize our cacao offering into four distinct categories, each reflecting the sourcing volume, quality standard, and relationship behind the beans.

• Always — Our core, reliable offering. These are the backbone of our catalogue — sourced in high volumes at accessible price points from partner cooperatives and associations with whom we have long-standing relationships. Quality is consistent across harvests.
• Occasional — Think of these as a trusted seasonal dish: not always on the table, but deeply appreciated when they are. Sourced in smaller volumes but ordered regularly during harvest periods, these beans could come from smaller groups within a producing cooperative or entity. They meet a very high quality standard and tend to be hand-sorted.
• Rare — Very limited quantities of exceptional, hard-to-find beans at a higher price point. These originate from single farmers or sub-cooperatives, making each lot a distinctive and exclusive find.
• Micro Batch — Micro lots and new origins we are actively testing on the market. When a lot performs well, it joins our permanent offering. A great way to discover what's next.

We update our origins page regularly, but if you would like specific pricing information and are ready to order email us. Because availability depends on harvest cycles, some beans may sell out before the next shipment arrives. Our in‑stock cacao is allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis, so we recommend a quick turnaround when sampling. Planning ahead is the best way to secure the origins you need.

Of course!

In Europe, samples are available to order directly from our website on every origin page.

In the US, please contact teamusa@cacaolatitudes.com to order samples.

Usually 8-10 business days.

In addition to the conditions where our extraordinary beans are produced, factors like in-country logistics, port loading and local export taxes combined with constant changes in maritime freight, insurance and financing all factor into the cost of beans each year. Although we maintain consistent stable pricing with our producers and suppliers for beans, these logistics costs change constantly. These changes must also be considered alongside macroeconomic influences.

The exact weight depends on the origin, though it generally falls between 50 kg and 70 kg.

We understand that urgent needs can arise, but between emailing an order request, issuing the invoice, processing payment, and arranging delivery, the overall timeline is usually 1 to 2 weeks.

Yes! Our cacao suppliers do not produce to order so we need to place orders with our suppliers months in advance of their harvest to ensure they are able to finance growers and receive the best quality. We urge our customers to plan with us. Please take note of our purchasing terms and conditions.

We require payment via bank transfer. Upon confirming an order we'll send you an invoice with payment details and most transfers arrive the same day or next business day.

Our minimum order size is 4 bags of beans.

The maximum pallet load depends on the warehouse, but the typical limit around 500 kg, corresponding to approximately 8 bags or 1 MT of semi‑finished products.

We take the quality and safety of our cocoa beans seriously, conducting rigorous testing at multiple levels.

A cut test is performed on all beans to assess fermentation quality and detect any signs of mold or infestation.

Heavy metal testing is carried out across all our origins as standard, covering Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Mercury, and Aluminium.

Pesticide analysis is conducted on certified organic shipments. If you are a certified organic buyer, please indicate in your request whether any specific analysis is required.

Custom testing — If your company requires additional or specific testing, we are happy to arrange this through our laboratory partners. An estimate will be provided in advance, and any associated costs will be reflected in your final invoice.

Europe deliveries:
Absolutely. For deliveries handled by Manfreight, you will receive a tracking link.
For Exsan deliveries, we are happy to provide updates by email or by phone—just let us know.

US deliveries:
For US deliveries, we are happy to provide updates by email or by phone—just let us know.

A pallet fits up to 8 full bags of cacao beans.

Yes, if requested, we will handle all of the logistics required for delivery and will include this in the invoice (DDP or DAP terms).

You absolutely can. We are happy to sell FCA or ExWorks (customer needs to be in our warehouse system beforehand) from all our storage locations. In the US we are also able to instruct the warehouse to bill specific UPS accounts (if you have one).

Yes, it's a great way to jump into the world of cocoa logistics first hand. Just make sure you confirm with the warehouse and Cacao Latitudes prior.

After payment is received, we will instruct the warehouse to release your beans/products. Delivery generally takes 10–15 business days, depending on location and shipping terms.

Cacao Latitudes manages inventory in the US, UK, and Europe and distributes worldwide. Based on your proximity to our warehouses and the import requirements of your destination country, we will quote the requested beans together with any applicable shipping and import costs. For international orders, please contact teameurope@cacaolatitudes.com and ensure that you provide clear shipping instructions, including required documentation, pallet restrictions, delivery constraints, and any country‑specific import requirements. This allows us to process and dispatch your order efficiently.

Upon delivery

Inspect the beans as soon as they arrive. Look for any signs of damage or non‑conformity, including wet or broken bags, insect activity, mold, or incorrect quality or origin.

If you notice an issue:

• Do not sign the CMR.
• Reject the delivery immediately.
• Take clear photos and videos documenting the problem.
• Notify us right away by email or phone and include all visual evidence.

Rejecting the delivery and not signing the CMR helps us file claims with the transporter or warehouse.

After delivery

Once the cocoa is stored at your location, conduct a quality assessment within 7 days. Cocoa stored for more than 7 days is not eligible for return or refund.

If anything seems off, contact us immediately so we can resolve it quickly.

Cacao Latitudes manages stock in the US (West and East Coast), United Kingdom and Europe (Amsterdam and Antwerp). We look to keep cocoa beans close to our customers for quick shipment once cocoa is requested.

Temperature: Cocoa beans keep their quality best when stored in stable, controlled conditions. The ideal temperature range is 18°C to 24°C (65°F to 75°F). Sudden temperature changes can create condensation, which encourages mold growth, so stability is key.

Humidity: Relative humidity should remain between 55% and 65%. Higher humidity increases the risk of mold, while lower humidity can dry out the beans and negatively affect flavor. In humid environments, dehumidifiers help maintain the right balance.

Pest control: Storage areas should be inspected regularly for insects or rodents. If bags show cocoons on the outer surface, brushing them off is usually sufficient, as insects are typically found on the bags rather than inside the beans. Beans should be kept in sealed, pest‑proof containers to prevent infestations.

Yes, Cacao Latitudes is a Fair Trade certified company, we are certified to buy and sell cocoa beans and products. We source from a few Fair Trade certified organizations.

We offer both certified organic products and organically grown products. Certified organic beans will say "organic" on the origin pages and price sheets. In order to comply with Organic chain of custody requirements we cannot state organic cocoa beans on invoices to customers who are not certified Organic as it is breaking the chain of custody of Organic certification.

Yes, we are certified Demeter, a biodynamic agriculture certification that ensures the strictest organic and regenerative farming practices.

We look for a balance of quality, tasting profile, ethic and long‑term partnership potential when selecting new suppliers. These elements help us build a consistent, transparent, and value‑driven supply chain.

What we evaluate in new suppliers

• Product quality and consistency — We evaluate if there is potential or capacity to grow, traceability systems, and the supplier's ability to deliver stable quality over time.
• Exceptional tasting profile — We focus on fine and unique cocoa with distinctive aromatic notes that can enrich our existing portfolio and bring something genuinely new.
• Sustainability and ethical practices — We prioritise partners committed to responsible sourcing, fair labour conditions, and environmental stewardship aligned with our values.
• Long‑term partnership mindset — We value suppliers who aim to build a transparent, trust‑based relationship and who share a vision for continuous improvement.

You've come to the right place to grow your knowledge, discover more about cacao.
We're proud to introduce the Cocoa Masterclass—an educational experience designed to immerse participants like you in the world of cacao and chocolate.

Unlike conventional training programs, the Cocoa Masterclass is context-driven, combining rich industry insight with hands‑on learning. Participants explore the full complexity of the cacao value chain, gaining both solid theoretical foundations and practical, real-world skills.

Whether you join us at origin or at destination, the Cocoa Masterclass offers a deep, authentic journey into what makes the cacao industry so unique.

We understand your curiosity! Kate Cavallin founded Agroarriba SA in 2012, the ECOM sourcing company in Ecuador. In 2021 she established Cacao Latitudes NV with another ECOM colleague focused on specialty cocoa. ECOM is uniquely suited to support the growth of specialty as their understanding of origin challenges, financial strength and logistics networks will help us bring value to growers and chocolate makers. Visit Our Story to understand how Cacao Latitudes was born.

Direct Trade in simplest terms is when a grower sells directly and manages all the logistics of export preparation. Cacao Latitudes in most cases does not purchase from the growers directly, but rather chooses to work with experienced social enterprises and grower cooperatives in many countries to manage the export process and allow farmers to deliver locally. We do have direct communication with all our farmers and farmer groups and we believe that leads to healthy, long term business relationships.