Barry Callebaut Brings Planet A Foods’s Cocoa-Free Chocolate to US

Why It Matters

The partnership gives Barry Callebaut a sustainable, cocoa‑free option for its North American customers while giving Planet A Foods rapid market access, helping the chocolate industry mitigate climate risk and price volatility.

Key Takeaways

• Barry Callebaut will exclusively distribute Planet A Foods’ ChoViva in the US
• ChoViva mimics cocoa flavor using fermented sunflower and grape seed bases
• Production capacity rose to over 15,000 tonnes annually after $30M funding
• ChoViva cuts chocolate‑related emissions by up to 91%, easing climate pressure

Pulse Analysis

The chocolate sector faces a perfect storm of climate‑driven supply shocks and soaring cocoa prices, which hit a record $12,565 per tonne in the United States last year. Against this backdrop, Barry Callebaut’s decision to roll out Planet A Foods’ ChoViva marks a strategic pivot toward ingredient innovation that sidesteps traditional cocoa. By leveraging a proprietary fermentation process that extracts chocolate‑like aromas from sunflower and grape seeds, ChoViva delivers the familiar taste profile without the environmental baggage of cocoa farming.

ChoViva’s technical architecture enables a seamless 1:1 substitution for conventional chocolate, making it attractive to manufacturers seeking to reformulate products quickly. The ingredient is already available in vegan, dark, milk and white formats and has been incorporated into more than 130 items across Europe and Asia, with partners ranging from Lindt to Aldi. Following a $30 million Series B round, Planet A Foods expanded its Czech facility’s capacity from 2,000 to over 15,000 tonnes per year, positioning the company to meet the anticipated surge in demand once Barry Callebaut’s extensive distribution network brings the product to over 100,000 U.S. retail locations.

For Barry Callebaut, the exclusive U.S. distribution rights open new revenue streams and reinforce its reputation as a sustainability leader among the "Big Chocolate" players. The partnership allows North American brands to launch chocolate‑like experiences that lower greenhouse‑gas emissions by up to 91%, aligning with emerging deforestation regulations in the EU, UK and potential U.S. legislation. As consumers increasingly prioritize eco‑friendly ingredients, ChoViva could become a cornerstone of product innovation, prompting competitors such as Cargill and Mondelēz to accelerate their own alternative‑chocolate initiatives. The move underscores a broader industry shift toward resilient, low‑impact supply chains.