Chocolaterie Robert facts for kids

Chocolaterie Robert is a well-known chocolate company from Madagascar. It was the first company to make chocolate there using local ingredients. Their most popular product is chocolate bars, sold as Chocolat Robert. The company started in 1940. It was founded by the Robert family from Reunion Island in Toamasina. Over the years, it was sold a few times. Now, a Malagasy business group, the Ramanandraibe family, owns it. This family is important for Madagascar's economy.

History of Chocolaterie Robert

The Antananarivo factory and shop entrance in 1956

Chocolaterie Robert was the first brand to sell chocolate made in Madagascar. A French couple, Mr and Mrs Robert, started the company in 1940. They were from nearby Reunion Island. They began making chocolates using cocoa beans from Brickaville. French settlers had planted the first cocoa farms there.

In 1948, the Roberts sold their company. A candy maker in Antananarivo bought it. By 1977, a French family named Berger owned the company. They decided to leave Madagascar. So, they sold the chocolate factory to a Malagasy businessman. His name was Ramanandraibe. His family became important leaders in Madagascar's economy after the country gained independence.

Delicious Chocolaterie Robert Products

Cocoa pods growing in Madagascar

Today, Chocolat Robert bars are sold all over Madagascar. You can also find them in 12 shops in France. There is even one shop in the United Kingdom. Chocolaterie Robert also sells special handmade chocolates and other sweets. These are available in their seven special shops in Madagascar.

Their products include cakes and different kinds of chocolate candies. They also make baking chocolate and chocolate powder. On October 18, 2014, Robert chocolate won several awards. This happened at the International Chocolate Awards in London. They won a gold medal for their 50% milk chocolate. Their 85% dark chocolate won a silver medal. They also got a silver medal for their white chocolate with vanilla. A bronze medal went to their 65% dark chocolate. This was a very tough category with over 100 other chocolates.

How Chocolaterie Robert Works

The Ramandraibe group works closely with farmers in Brickaville. They are helping farmers grow high-quality cocoa again. Since 2012, the company has invested a lot of money. They want to make their chocolate even better. This helps them compete with big chocolate makers worldwide.

To do this, the company set up special groups called cooperatives. These groups employ 125 farmers in the Ambanja region. Their job is to grow top-quality organic cocoa. The factory in Antananarivo also got new, powerful machines. The company now follows strict quality rules. These rules are called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. This helps them sell their chocolate in the British market.

Images for kids

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  Caramel cooker from 1962

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  Finished products ready for display, 1962