chocolatiers on a war footing

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It’s been a ritual for 25 years. “Every Christmas, we are always very happy to receive the chocolates to wish everyone a Merry Christmas before going on vacation”attests an employee. 200 euros of chocolate for each of the 15 employees. Total budget: 3,000 euros. Caroline Azoulay, architect and director of the “2A & Azoulay” firm, does not forget her clients, with whom she signs contracts worth several hundred thousand euros: “It’s not just a client that you thank, it’s also this relationship that you come to cherish throughout the projects”she emphasizes.

Chocolate is a Christmas staple that has become very expensive. For two years, the world price of cocoa soared, the result of difficult weather conditions and strong demand. So, to better control prices, a chocolatier buys his beans directly from several producers. Beans immediately transformed into sugared almonds, truffles or squares.

Not a minute to lose, because the period is crucial. Christmas is a quarter of the turnover. Among the customers, 250 companies: orders that are now essential. “It’s still 15% of Christmas. At the last minute, people call us, we need boxes, we need something. We are responsive”testifies Sébastien Harault, head chocolatier – “À la Mère de famille”. To keep up, a small army of 50 employees: “Yesterday, there was an order, 40 boxes to make, of truffles, we made them in half an hour”explains Claudine Massot, employee – “To the Mother of the family”.

But also, around thirty additional reinforcements, including Simon Lebreton, management student. He will end his seasonal contract in a few days: “Christmas is the big time, so you shouldn’t be afraid to get up early. They’re big days. We’re up all day, but you don’t see the days go by”he assures.

Christmas remains the most important period for the sector. 740 million euros worth of chocolate is sold, twice as much as at Easter.