Precision CocoaProcessingat the Source.
Meridian Cocoa Industries is establishing a dedicated, EU-standard cocoa bean processing facility within a free zone near Tema Port, Ghana — purpose-built for exclusive tolling partnerships with European chocolate manufacturers. The facility is currently in its pre-commissioning phase. We are now accepting expressions of interest from qualifying EU manufacturers seeking a traceable, source-origin processing partner.
Planned Throughput (57% of Max)
Equipment Processing Rate
Continuous 24-hr Operation
Target Commissioning Date
Early Interest Registrations
Three-Stage
Tolling Pipeline
Each processing stage is operated under strict GMP protocols and documented via our ISO 22000-compliant quality management system.
Full Service Specifications→
Precision Sorting & Grading
Multi-stage optical and gravimetric sorting removes defective beans, foreign materials, and grade inconsistencies. Our NIR (Near-Infrared) spectrometry systems verify bean quality against client-specified parameters in real time.
- —NIR moisture & fat content analysis
- —Colour-sort optical screening
- —5-grade output classification
- —Throughput: up to 16 MT per 8-hour shift
Indirect Roasting
Drum-based indirect roasting with client-configurable temperature profiles ensures Maillard reaction consistency. Profiles are stored, validated, and re-applied per batch — critical for flavour repeatability across production runs.
- —Indirect-heat drum roasters (no contamination)
- —Client roasting profiles stored & locked
- —Batch traceability from bean origin to output
- —Capacity: up to 16 MT per 8-hour shift
Industrial Grinding
Stone mill pre-grinding followed by ball mill refining produces cocoa liquor to client-specified micron fineness. Pressing and separation services produce cocoa butter and press cake for further EU manufacturing.
- —Pre-grinding to 200–400 micron intermediate
- —Ball mill refining to <25 micron fineness
- —Cocoa liquor, butter, and cake separation
- —Fat content compliance to EU Regulation 1169/2011
Why European CPOs
Choose Meridian
The operational case for origin-based tolling is validated by the EU's own supply chain directives. Meridian exists to make that choice frictionless.
Origin Processing Premium
Processing at origin eliminates freight costs for raw bean volume, reduces transit risk, and qualifies output for Ghana's export duty incentives. Ghana's government has mandated that at least 50% of all cocoa beans be processed locally from the 2026/27 crop season — making origin processing a structural reality, not just a commercial preference.
Dedicated Capacity, No Spot Competition
Unlike commodity processors, Meridian operates exclusively on reserved-capacity contracts. Your allocated throughput is yours — no reallocation to spot buyers, no waiting behind volume competitors.
Mid-Market Specialist
Multinational processors prioritise large-scale OEM clients. Meridian is purpose-built for EU manufacturers processing 200–2,000 MT annually who require premium-quality tolling without minimum volume obligations.
EUDR-Ready Supply Chain
Every bean entering our facility is sourced through COCOBOD-registered channels with GPS-verified farm coordinates. EUDR geolocation data packages are available for download via our secure client portal.
Flavour Profile Fidelity
Clients submit roasting profiles and grind specifications once. Our process engineers validate and lock parameters to your recipe. Batch-to-batch variation is documented and auditable.
EU-Standard Documentation
All export documentation, certificates of analysis, phytosanitary certificates, and customs declarations are prepared to EU import standards, reducing your logistics overhead to near-zero.
"Market research confirms strong alignment between EU demand for compliant, traceable cocoa processing and Ghana's regulatory incentives for local value addition."
End-to-End
Compliance Pipeline
Every stage of our supply chain is documented, audited, and aligned with EU food safety and deforestation regulation requirements.
Full Compliance Documentation→Geolocation & Deforestation Verification
GPS coordinates captured at farm registration. Cross-referenced against EU Joint Research Centre satellite data. All farms verified deforestation-free post-December 2020 cut-off date.
How the Process Works —
Bean to Dispatch
Meridian acts exclusively as your processing agent. You own the beans, you control the specification, and your QC team is present at every stage.
Procurement from COCOBOD
The client purchases cocoa beans directly from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at official regulated prices. Payment is made by the client directly to COCOBOD. Meridian has no commercial interest in the beans at this stage.
cocobod.ghCollection & Inbound Logistics
Meridian collects the client's consignment from COCOBOD distribution centres and transports it to our free zone processing facility near Tema Port. Full chain-of-custody documentation is initiated at point of collection.
Processing Under Client Supervision
Beans undergo sorting, roasting, and grinding per the client's approved specification. The client's nominated Quality Control personnel are granted full facility access to monitor, verify, and sign off on each processing stage in real time.
ISO 22000 · HACCPPacking & Finished Goods
Processed cocoa products are packed to the client's specification — bulk bags, kraft paper sacks, or flexi-tank. Finished goods are held in our temperature-controlled warehouse pending dispatch instruction from the client.
Delivery to Tema Port
Meridian arranges and manages last-mile transport from our processing facility to the Tema Port terminal, Ghana's principal deep-water export gateway. All goods are accompanied by full export documentation.
Tema Port · Greater AccraExport Documentation
Acting on behalf of the client, Meridian facilitates the preparation and submission of all export documentation, including COCOBOD export certificates, phytosanitary certificates, EUDR due diligence statements, and customs declarations.
EUDR · COCOBOD Cert.FOB Tema — Onward Freight
Goods are delivered Free On Board (FOB) Tema Port. Upon loading, title and risk transfer entirely to the client. The client is responsible for arranging and financing all onward carriage from Tema to their designated port of destination.
Incoterms® 2020 — FOBProcurement from COCOBOD
The client purchases cocoa beans directly from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at official regulated prices. Payment is made by the client directly to COCOBOD. Meridian has no commercial interest in the beans at this stage.
cocobod.ghCollection & Inbound Logistics
Meridian collects the client's consignment from COCOBOD distribution centres and transports it to our free zone processing facility near Tema Port. Full chain-of-custody documentation is initiated at point of collection.
Processing Under Client Supervision
Beans undergo sorting, roasting, and grinding per the client's approved specification. The client's nominated Quality Control personnel are granted full facility access to monitor, verify, and sign off on each processing stage in real time.
ISO 22000 · HACCPPacking & Finished Goods
Processed cocoa products are packed to the client's specification — bulk bags, kraft paper sacks, or flexi-tank. Finished goods are held in our temperature-controlled warehouse pending dispatch instruction from the client.
Delivery to Tema Port
Meridian arranges and manages last-mile transport from our processing facility to the Tema Port terminal, Ghana's principal deep-water export gateway. All goods are accompanied by full export documentation.
Tema Port · Greater AccraExport Documentation
Acting on behalf of the client, Meridian facilitates the preparation and submission of all export documentation, including COCOBOD export certificates, phytosanitary certificates, EUDR due diligence statements, and customs declarations.
EUDR · COCOBOD Cert.FOB Tema — Onward Freight
Goods are delivered Free On Board (FOB) Tema Port. Upon loading, title and risk transfer entirely to the client. The client is responsible for arranging and financing all onward carriage from Tema to their designated port of destination.
Incoterms® 2020 — FOBFOB Tema Port — Freight Note
All shipments are agreed on Free On Board (FOB) Tema Port terms under Incoterms® 2020. Meridian's obligations are fulfilled upon delivery of goods to the nominated vessel at Tema. From that point, the client assumes full responsibility for freight costs, marine insurance, and all risks associated with carriage to their port of destination.
Your Secure
Traceability Gateway
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR — Regulation 2023/1115) requires importers to prove cocoa was not produced on deforested land. Meridian maintains a complete digital record for every lot processed at our facility.
Client companies receive exclusive portal access to download EUDR due diligence statements, GPS farm coordinate packages, satellite verification reports, and full chain-of-custody documentation tied to their specific processing lots.
Lot Reference
MCI-2024-LOT-0██████
Farm ID
GH-AAR-2024-0047██
Region
Ashanti / Brong-Ahafo
Farm Coordinates
6.7321°N, 1.5581°W ████
Area (ha)
3.8 ha
Forest Status
Verified Clear
Cut-off Date
Dec 31, 2020 ✓
Processing Facility
Capacity & Capabilities
Our facility, located within a free zone adjacent to Tema Port, operates across three processing stages on a continuous 3-shift, 24-hour schedule. Equipment is rated at 2 MT/hour, giving a theoretical maximum of approximately 17,500 MT/year. Initial operations are planned at 10,000 MT/year — around 57% of full capacity — providing a meaningful buffer for growth and client scale-up.
Sorting & Grading
- —Multi-grade optical sorting
- —Moisture content verification
- —Foreign matter removal
- —NIR spectrometric analysis
Indirect Roasting
- —Client-locked roasting profiles
- —Configurable temperature curves
- —Sealed post-roast cooling
- —Batch-level traceability
Grinding & Pressing
- —Fine refining to <25 micron
- —Cocoa butter separation
- —Press cake packaging
- —EU specification compliance
Register Early.
Secure Priority Access.
Meridian's facility is currently in its pre-commissioning phase, with commercial operations targeted for Q4 2027. Manufacturers who register interest now will receive priority consideration for capacity allocation, early access to technical briefings, and direct engagement with our process engineering team ahead of launch.
Register Your Interest
Submit your processing requirements, annual volume estimate, and target start date.
Technical Consultation
Our process engineers will engage you on roasting profiles, quality targets, and EUDR requirements.
Priority Allocation
Registered partners receive first access to capacity blocks when the facility enters commercial operation.
Qualifying Client Criteria
B2B OnlyEU-registered food business
Active EU import license for cocoa products
Annual volume ≥ 50 MT
Minimum threshold for dedicated capacity allocation
Product specification available
Roasting profile, particle size, and fat content targets
EUDR due diligence system
Operator or Trader classification under Reg. 2023/1115
Lead time ≥ 8 weeks
From signed agreement to first shipment departure