The company has signed an exclusive deal with International Foods Associates (IFA) to sell and market Duc d’O flaked truffles in the US.
The latest expansion follows entry in April this year into India and expanded distribution in China, Eastern Europe and Russia over the past few years.
Rising premium market
Don Cook, president of IFA, said: “We are delighted to have Duc d’O in our brand portfolio because the premium chocolate segment is growing in the US. The unique Duc d’O positioning around craftsmanship and authenticity will allow us to penetrate the premium chocolate segment in the US.”
Euromonitor International Ingredients analyst Lauren bandy said at the recent World Cocoa Conference in Amsterdam that although per capita chocolate consumption in the US was forecast to decline, developed markets such as North America and Western Europe were developing a stonger taste for premium products, particularly dark chocolate and ethical brands.
Company profile
Chocolatier Duc d’O was established in 1983 and was acquired by fellow Belgian firm Gudrun in June 2011. The Duc d’O Gudrun Group has an annual turnover of around €60m ($78.3m).
Around 40% of volumes from the company’s branded division are sold in Europe, 30% in Asia and 20% in the rest of the world. Products are manufactured from two plants in Belgium.