Product Offerings
Products:
Chocolate bars: Binaning Chocolate, Palapa Chocolate, 50% Milk Chocolate, 70% Dark Chocolate
Kakaw Meranaw is a pioneering social enterprise based in Bayang, Lanao del Sur, Philippines, that is revitalizing the heritage and economy of the Meranaw people through high-quality, artisanal chocolate products. Founded by Sittie Aisah, this grassroots initiative empowers local cacao farmers—particularly women—by integrating them into a sustainable value chain centered on ethical cacao farming and artisanal chocolate production.
History and Background
Established in the wake of socio-political and economic challenges in Lanao del Sur, Kakaw Meranaw was conceived as both a business and a peacebuilding mechanism. The initiative emerged to provide livelihood opportunities in a region historically marginalized from mainstream development. Through training, technology sharing, and community engagement, the company has turned cacao farming into a tool for empowerment and cultural preservation.
Core Business
Kakaw Meranaw’s core business revolves around the bean-to-bar chocolate process, where local cacao beans are fermented, dried, roasted, ground, and molded into chocolate bars and confections. This full-cycle model allows for quality control, traceability, and the preservation of cultural identity in its product lines.
Product and Service Offerings
Kakaw Meranaw offers a unique range of handcrafted chocolate bars, often incorporating local ingredients and flavors native to the Meranaw culture:
- Binaning Chocolate – A traditional blend using heirloom cacao.
- Palapa Chocolate – Infused with palapa, a spicy Meranaw condiment, offering a distinctly ethnic flavor profile.
- 50% Milk Chocolate – Smooth and creamy for everyday indulgence.
- 70% Dark Chocolate – Rich, pure, and crafted for premium chocolate lovers.
These products are sold through specialty stores, local markets, trade fairs, and social enterprise channels.
Specialization and Core USP
The company’s unique selling proposition lies in its cultural fusion and social impact. Kakaw Meranaw integrates the flavors and customs of the Meranaw people into premium chocolate, positioning itself as both a heritage brand and a social innovator. Their Palapa Chocolate, for example, represents an unprecedented fusion of indigenous flavors and global chocolate trends.
Financials
As a grassroots enterprise, Kakaw Meranaw operates on a modest scale but has received support and visibility through various development initiatives. It has been featured in entrepreneurship programs by the Philippine government, NGOs, and impact investment forums. While exact financials are not publicly available, the enterprise is considered financially sustainable through consistent local demand and institutional backing.
Shipment Data
Due to its small-scale and community-focused nature, Kakaw Meranaw has not engaged in large-volume international exports. However, its products have been showcased in:
- National food expos such as IFEX Philippines.
- Cultural and heritage trade fairs, representing indigenous entrepreneurship.
Planned micro-export batches are reportedly in development through fair trade channels and specialty retail collaborations.
Target Market
Kakaw Meranaw targets:
- Ethical consumers seeking artisanal, heritage-based products.
- Local and regional specialty chocolate markets.
- Exporters and resellers of culturally infused food products.
- Development organizations and institutional gift sourcing.
Capabilities
- Bean-to-Bar Production Facility: Small-scale processing center located in Bayang.
- Training and Empowerment: Women in farming communities are trained in fermentation, drying, and chocolate-making.
- Partnerships: Collaboration with NGOs, LGUs, and trade development authorities.
Certifications and Compliance
While operating informally in some aspects, Kakaw Meranaw aligns with:
- Organic and natural farming principles
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in cacao handling
- Participating in capacity building toward FDA compliance and potential future HACCP certification
Customer Testimonials
"Palapa Chocolate is unlike anything else. It’s spicy, it’s bold, and it tells a story of a people. Truly authentic."
— Chef Nina Daza, Filipino Culinary Heritage Advocate
"It’s heartening to see how Kakaw Meranaw empowers women and preserves culture through chocolate. A must-support brand."
— Lourdes Panganiban, Social Enterprise Consultant
Major Achievements
- Featured in national programs for indigenous entrepreneurship.
- Recognized in the 2023 DTI Bangon Marawi initiative for rebuilding livelihoods.
- Highlighted in international NGO campaigns for sustainable farming and women’s empowerment.