Wholesale single origin chocolate, where?

[MartinJonsoin]

Hey all,

As most women, my Mrs. has an obsession with chocolate. She's been experimenting a whole lot lately with various homemade truffles, sauces, you name it. Most of them need single origin chocolate (once you get to a certain level of snobbery, it's hard to go back) and as anyone who has bought these in shops will be well aware, it's not cheap.

Anyway, she's got to a level now where I've suggested she could have a stab at selling it, and much to my surprise she was keen to do just that. Problem is, I have no idea how to go about finding a decent supplier of chocolate - any ideas? I don't mind much if they're British or foreign, the quality of the chocolate is of primary importance and price secondary.

So, if anyone could nudge us in the right direction, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MikeJ]

http://www.dwpchocolate.webs.com/

 

[MartinJonsoin]

http://www.dwpchocolate.webs.com/

"
501- 1000 BARS OF CHOCOLATE = £3
ABOVE 1000 BARS OF CHOCOLATE = £3.5 because it is too much work"


Haha! I'll keep them in mind.

 

[seanheather]

http://www.dwpchocolate.webs.com/

Best site ever.

 

[Drpepper]

Hey all,

As most women, my Mrs. has an obsession with chocolate. She's been experimenting a whole lot lately with various homemade truffles, sauces, you name it. Most of them need single origin chocolate (once you get to a certain level of snobbery, it's hard to go back) and as anyone who has bought these in shops will be well aware, it's not cheap.

Anyway, she's got to a level now where I've suggested she could have a stab at selling it, and much to my surprise she was keen to do just that. Problem is, I have no idea how to go about finding a decent supplier of chocolate - any ideas? I don't mind much if they're British or foreign, the quality of the chocolate is of primary importance and price secondary.

So, if anyone could nudge us in the right direction, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Save yourself the time and effort, this was all very "in" three/four years ago but the market has totally died. You'll make no headway and no retailer will touch it.

Not being mean or negative, just telling it as it is.

 

[MartinJonsoin]

Save yourself the time and effort, this was all very "in" three/four years ago but the market has totally died. You'll make no headway and no retailer will touch it.

Not being mean or negative, just telling it as it is.

Thanks for your input bud, but I think that's completely the wrong attitude to have. It comes down to what you make, how you market yourself, where you do it, etc.

 

[papverpoppies]

Save yourself the time and effort, this was all very "in" three/four years ago but the market has totally died. You'll make no headway and no retailer will touch it.

Not being mean or negative, just telling it as it is.

I still believe there is a 'niche' market for this product, I take it the OP is not talking about trying to compete with the big chocco companies, and hand made chocolates/truffles are expensive if they are good.

I bought 6 from a shop in North Yorshire last year £3.80 - I had intended them for a friend - but at that price; I ate them (she was not a very close friend)

You can market them yourself, if it takes off, then approach a retailer.

Good Luck

Poppy xx (a good friend, accept when it comes to sharing chocolates)

Probably not what you are looking for, but worth asking.

 

[Drpepper]

Thanks for your input bud, but I think that's completely the wrong attitude to have. It comes down to what you make, how you market yourself, where you do it, etc.

Sorry, but just four years ago trade shows were awash with people (think 100's) doing exactly what you are suggesting, now there about six. Everything but everything has been done.

Large wholesalers stocked products from small producers, these have all but gone. A number of the bigger specialist and top end producers of organic and the like have relented now and ditched the organic/single origin.

Maybe if you try to sell at fairs, quality markets and the like you might cover your costs, but again it has been done to death.

Give it a go by all means, but it's a market I have witnessed first hand go into terminal decline.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Martin,did you see this?
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/willies-wonky-chocolate-factory
It may help!

 

[MartinJonsoin]

Sorry, but just four years ago trade shows were awash with people (think 100's) doing exactly what you are suggesting, now there about six. Everything but everything has been done.

Large wholesalers stocked products from small producers, these have all but gone. A number of the bigger specialist and top end producers of organic and the like have relented now and ditched the organic single origin.

Maybe if you try to sell at fairs, quality markets and the like you might cover your costs, but again it has been done to death.

Give it a go by all means, but it's a market I have witnessed first hand go into terminal decline.

I'm aware that there has been a boom which has now pretty much receded. That doesn't mean that there's not a market. I also know what many of the niche producers made, and most of them offered exactly the same truffles with little uniqueness to distinguish one from the other. What the Mrs is doing is quite different, take my word for it.

I also don't see why you should be completely put off because the general trend for starting these businesses has slowed down. There is always a market for quality so long as you know how to sell it, and we've got a couple of good ideas.

According to Mintel reports:

• Cooking sauces are on the up in terms of sales volume and interest in niche sauces
• Organic/ethical food is set to rise at a rate of 4%
• Home baking has shot up some 9% in popularity (if I remember correctly), and ready made cakes have also experiences a strong growth in sales
• Snacks have grown in popularity, and top-end snacks did well even through the recession
• Chocolate is the foremost top-end snack - though many consumers report that they are 'cutting down' for health reasons. We'll see about that..
• Biscuits have done very well over the past few years, and this trend is set to continue

This is all based on the summaries of a bunch of mintel reports, and applies to various experiments carried out in our kitchen almost daily.

I appreciate your warning and thoughts, but I think you're being overly pessimistic.

Martin,did you see this?
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/willies-wonky-chocolate-factory
It may help!

Hey, that's a great idea! I remember hearing about it a while back, but completely forgot to watch it. I'll have a look, thanks.

 

[Drpepper]

OP, not pessimistic just realistic as this is my area of "expertise" if you like.

Go for it if your confident and good luck.

If you do go for it, make sure you have your H&S certs, two sinks in the kitchen etc sorted before committing to anything.

 

[Searcher]

OP, not pessimistic just realistic as this is my area of "expertise" if you like.
.

Out of interest if you don't mind me asking, but are you in manufacturing, retail or distribution ?