EP 1157 Antonie Fountain - Understanding the Cacao Market - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

This is the first episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar. The guest on this podcast series is Antonie Fountain, managing director and co-founder of VOICE Network (cocoa) and VOCAL Alliance (coffee). In this series, Lee and Antonie explore the state of the cocoa industry with particular attention on the impact recent price spikes are having on producers and the sustainability of the market at large. In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Antonie discuss how cacao is a primarily export-focused product, cultivated mostly in just eight countries. Antonie provides insights into the specialized market of cacao, including its unique heirloom qualities and the limited appreciation for good quality chocolate. He explains his role in sustainable cocoa and the extensive relationships he maintains with various stakeholders across the globe. They also explore the narrow power dynamics in cacao trading, contrasting it with coffee and discussing its concentrated market structure. The episode wraps up with a teaser for upcoming discussions about recent trends and price shifts in the cacao market. 00:00 Introduction to Cacao: A Unique Export Product 00:41 Sponsorship Message: Become a Coffee Consultant 01:19 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:38 Understanding the Cacao Industry 02:28 Antonie Fountain's Role and Experience 04:54 The Voice Network's Mission and Approach 06:21 Comparing Cacao and Coffee Markets 10:01 Global Consumption and Market Dynamics 10:44 Cacao Trading and Market Concentration 13:58 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser Connect with Antonie Fountain and Voice Network here: https://www.voicenetwork.cc https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonie/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Support this podcast on Patreon for a few dollars a month here: https://bit.ly/MIFPatreon The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This episode is brought to you by Map It Forward's revised on-demand online workshop "It's Time to Become a Coffee Consultant" available now on our website with additional new bonus material including the coffee consultant career map. Get more details on how you can create an alternative revenue stream today at https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops

Om Podcasten

The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by MAP IT FORWARD provides content to the Global Coffee Industry Monday to Friday at 1 am PT. Episodes typically run between 20-25 minutes and are hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar. Each week a new 5-part series is released with a coffee industry expert speaking to challenges and innovations in the global coffee value chain. At Map It Forward, our mission is to encourage an industry mindset where people conspire to each other's success and our vision is to be a functional part of creating a standard within the coffee industry where people build responsible businesses with responsible pricing models. Our commitment to integrity, openness, authenticity, and curiosity is not just a statement; it's the cornerstone of everything we do. The video version of this podcast is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Find out more about MAP IT FORWARD at https://www.mapitforward.coffee