PRONATEC AG

Our Core Mission and Sourcing Philosophy

For over fifty years, PRONATEC AG has stood as a dedicated wholesaler and manufacturer of organic and Fair Trade certified products, primarily serving the global food industry and trade from its headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland. The company's mission is deeply rooted in a supply chain model that eliminates intermediaries, fostering direct and long-term partnerships with smallholder cooperatives in various countries of origin. This approach ensures that the benefits of sustainable trade flow directly back to the farming communities, securing their livelihoods and promoting environmentally sound agricultural practices. By personally knowing the producers and engaging in multi-year contracts, PRONATEC AG transcends the typical transactional relationship, building a foundation of trust and mutual growth that is rare in the global commodities market.

Customers and partners who engage with PRONATEC AG are often drawn to the company's uncompromising commitment to traceability and quality management. The company specializes in combining demanding organic and Fair Trade labels under one roof, providing clients with a unique level of assurance. This dedication is not just a marketing promise but a tangible operational reality, backed by internal controls and regular external audits. A landmark step in this journey was the opening of the PRONATEC Swiss Cocoa Production facility in 2022 in Beringen. This stands as the world’s first processing plant dedicated exclusively to organic cocoa, producing cocoa mass, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs. This facility represents a monumental investment in Swiss manufacturing excellence and a testament to the growing demand for premium, traceable, and ethically produced cocoa ingredients.

Our Product Portfolio: From Raw Materials to Fine Chocolate

PRONATEC AG curates an extensive portfolio of certified organic and Fair Trade raw materials and semi-finished products, acting as a pivotal link between origin and the finished food product. Our core competency lies in cocoa in all its forms. We source and trade raw cocoa beans directly from our partner cooperatives, guaranteeing varietal purity and post-harvest quality. From these beans, both at our own Swiss factory and through trusted partners, we manufacture a full spectrum of cocoa semi-finished products. This includes aromatic cocoa mass (liquor), pure cocoa butter with excellent pressing qualities, fine cocoa powders varying in alkalization and fat content, and crunchy cocoa nibs perfect for inclusions in confectionery, bakery, and breakfast applications.

• Cocoa Beans: Directly sourced single-origin beans from the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Madagascar, each with a distinct flavor profile suited for craft and industrial chocolate making.
• Cocoa Semi-Finished Products: Made in Switzerland at our dedicated organic plant. Our batch-processing capability allows for custom production runs, including contract manufacturing (tolling) of your own beans.
• Couvertures and Chocolate: A diverse range of classic and flavored couvertures, as well as finished chocolate under our renowned AMARRÚ brand, available in bars, drops, and blocks for gastronomy and private label.
• Sugar and Vanilla: A broad assortment of certified organic and Fair Trade sugars (cane, whole cane, demerara) from our long-term partner La Felsina in Paraguay, alongside exquisite, plump Bourbon vanilla pods sourced through PREMIUM SPICES in Madagascar.
• Spices and Ingredients: A selected range of other organic and Fair Trade certified spices and natural ingredients to complement your recipes, all with the same traceability promise.

The PRONATEC Swiss Cocoa Production Facility: A World First

In 2022, PRONATEC AG rewrote the rules for sustainable cocoa processing by inaugurating its state-of-the-art facility in Beringen, just a short distance from the main Winterthur headquarters. This is not merely a factory; it is the very first industrial-scale processing plant in the world to be dedicated entirely and exclusively to certified organic cocoa. This specialization eliminates any risk of cross-contamination with conventional crops, a critical selling point for producers of high-integrity organic products. The facility is a showcase of Swiss precision engineering, designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimal waste, embodying our commitment to environmental stewardship from bean to ingredient.

The technological heart of the plant allows for unmatched production flexibility. The batch-processing system means PRONATEC can efficiently handle the distinct characteristics of cocoa from different cooperatives, preserving the unique sensory profiles that chocolatiers and manufacturers seek. This system is ideally suited for our