A Reader from Dubai Writes, asking, “I am in the business of imporing chocolates for retail sales. However, I’m having difficulties sourcing the most prestigous French Chocolates. Could you please advise of me of your rankings according to taste? I have read some of your reviews and was very impressed with your judgement. I wish if it was possible that you could have a list of all chocolate brands that you can sort by taste, superiority, price, etc.” Such a list of all chocolate brands sortable by these factors would be a very valuable list ...

... and if there is any person in the world who might have an answer to the question I am told that it is Chloe Doutre-Roussell, the chocolate buyer for Fortnum & Mason in the UK. There are hundreds and hundreds of top artisan chocolatiers in France, most of whom have little if any distribution outside their home town except at satellite shops. One of the best known, Joel Bernachon is available in only two places that I know of; in Lyon which is where his workshop is located and in Paris at a l’Etoile d’Or (you can find out more about this wonderful shop in this story about my trip to Paris in April 2004).

If I were interested in exporting French chocolates, and knowing what I do about the French, I would say that personal contact is almost a requirement. I would plan to attend the next Salon du Chocolat in Paris (in late October 2005, if I remember correctly) and visit with the more than 120 chocolatiers, many of them French, who will be exhibiting. I would also purchase a copy of Le Guide du Club des Croquers de Chocolat a rather biased guide to chocolatier and patissiers in France. The book provides contact information, a list of specialites and a rating based on a scale of 1-5 bars. If you concentrated on chocolatiers with ratings of 3 to 5 bars, you’d have a large universe of prospects to choose from.

What you also need to do is some due diligence on the companies’ ability to ship internationally. It takes special expertise to ensure that chocolate can successfully shipped to some place such as Dubai.

Good Luck!

Previous Questions and Answers:

1. I am interested in buying french chocolate to import to Mexico. What is a good Company to do business with? What is their contact information? What are the costs? etc.
   Posted by  on  04/05  at  06:06 PM
2. Question: Importing Chocolate, especially French Chocolate I am working as export sales manager for one of the most famous french chocolate maker in the world (Jean-Paul HEVIN) I would like to be in contact with the person who wish to export Chocolates to Dubai. Regards Yvan
   Posted by  on  03/07  at  02:07 PM
3. I am looking at starting a cafe which exclusively does chocolate... drinking chocolate. We will be in Paris in June 2006. Any advice would be appreciated. :: Tracey, Here's an article I wrote about my trip to Paris in 2004 that mentions three different hot chocolates you should try. I also mention many chocolate shops and you might want to visit those and try their hot chocolate if they offer it, especially Jean-Paul Hevin on the rue Fauborge St Honore. http://www.newworldchocolatesociety.com/index.php/nwcs/comments/parisindepth/ :: Have fun! Clay
   Posted by  on  04/17  at  07:43 PM
4. i m a manufacturer of conched chocolate n intrested to market my product in middle east,how can u help me. thanx shamim :: Shamim, I don't know that I can. I am not an exporter of chocolate to the middle east and I don't have contacts with importers and chocolate shops there. You may wish to contact the trade missions of the countries you want to work with to see how they can help you. :: Clay
   Posted by  on  05/09  at  09:04 AM
5. How do I order chocolates wholesale for my business. Nancy, If you are an established business with a business back account and a Tax ID #, all you need to do is to contact the wholesale food distributor in your area that carries the brand of chocolate you want to use (if you want couverture chocolate for baking) or contact the chocolatier whose products you want to sell directly to establish an account. :: Clay
   Posted by  on  05/15  at  03:06 AM