What we do: De Villiers Chocolate (Pty) Ltd is a privately owned bean to bar chocolate maker. All cocoa beans are traceable to farm level and are free from any people exploitation. The company’s African Collection is UTZ certified meaning it supports sustainable cocoa farming where farmers implement practices with respect for people and planet. Africa produces more than 70% of the world’s cocoa beans but makes less than 1% of the world’s chocolate which reflects a large opening in the local chocolate market.

Ownership & Management: De Villiers Chocolate was founded by Pieter de Villiers who began chocolate making in his back garage and has since grown the business and placed the products in South African retail stores. A private equity firm known as Invenfin bought a 28.3% stake in the company in June 2016. The company operates from a retail and production facility at Spice Route in Paarl. It also operates from a production unit at Simondium and a café in Franschhoek.

Key financial indicators: Not provided. The company distributes its chocolate products to retail stores such as Woolworths and also has its own café in Franschhoek which is a more recent development in the company’s expansion. De Villiers Chocolate has sufficient scope to grow as there are a few local chocolate operators in South Africa.

Track record: De Villiers Chocolate distributes its chocolate to several Woolworths retail stores in South Africa. The company attracted the attention of a private equity investor, Invenfin which purchased a 28.3% stake in the business.

Contact details: Tel: (+27) 21 874 1060 Email: info@dvchocolate.com Address: Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Paarl, Cape Town, South Africa Website: www.dvchocolate.com

Or contact us for free additional information at info@peafrinsights.co.za