Can you introduce yourself and your company?
Carob House is a company that pioneered the use of carob in Brazil and created alternative product recipes to traditional chocolate. The concept emerged in 1999 when a magazine article, read while waiting at a barber shop, highlighted the difficulties faced by certain segments of the Brazilian population during Easter due to a lack of chocolate alternatives for those with dietary restrictions. Since carob powder was already familiar to us from our time living in Canada and was a part of our diet, the article immediately caught our attention and inspired us to create carob mass that could be molded into different shapes to serve this community and anyone seeking healthier options. It took us five years of research and product development before launching on the market in 2003.
Carob House, established in 2002, has continuously pushed boundaries with its innovations, obtaining patents in Brazil and various countries worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
The company has also been awarded certifications such as the Vegan label from the Brazilian Vegetarian Society and the Kosher certification from BDK. Carob House has received recognition for its innovation, including a recent award from the Ministry of Science and Technology through FINEP, positioning it as one of the most innovative companies in Brazil.
The well-established infrastructure in the canton of Fribourg, its strategic location, business opportunities, and the thriving food industry all played a role in our decision to establish the company there.
What were the criteria that motivated your choice of location?
Switzerland is known as the world capital of chocolate, making it a fitting location for Carob House to offer a chocolate alternative for consumers seeking a different product for either ideological or health reasons.
After the initial visit to Carob House in Brazil by Joël Savary and Jerry Krattiger, from Fribourg’s economic development agency (PromFR), facilitated by Hamilton Belizário from GGBa, it became evident that the Swiss project for Carob House was the way to go.
The well-established infrastructure in the canton of Fribourg, its strategic location, business opportunities, and thriving food industry all played a role in our decision to establish the company there.
What are your plans for expanding your business in Switzerland?
We have established a commercial partnership with Villars Chocolatier and our products are now available for purchase at their new boutique, La Fabrik.
We are in negotiations with Bossy Céréales to set up a pilot production line for the European, Israeli, Asian, and North American markets.
We are also exploring the possibility of transforming Carob House Swiss into the headquarters for Carob House Brasil and Carob House Canada, which is currently in the planning stage, to further strengthen Carob House Swiss’s operations.
How has the economic promotion agency helped you?
Carob House Brazil’s initial prospecting was done through GGBa in 2019, and since then we have received full support in establishing Carob House Swiss.
The agency’s support has led to tangible outcomes, such as our partnerships with Villars Chocolatier and Bossy Céréales, and it has also enabled us to present Carob House to banking institutions for future business dealings.
Without the support of GGBa, we wouldn’t have been able to reach this point, and their assistance has provided the necessary security for our business.
