MANILA - Mindanao-based Auro Chocolate has become the first Filipino company to supply cacao beans to Europe with the first shipment completed last week, the Trade Department said.

Auro sent 20,000 kilos of 5 varieties of premium cacao beans to Belgium last April 16, the DTI said in a statement.

European chocolate makers visited cacao farms in Mindanao last year including Silva Cacao who brought the produce to Belgium, the DTI said.

"By adding their own magic, chocolate makers can bring out the best of the flavours in each cacao quality – from fruity, to floral, to nutty, to woody, to caramel, and much more. Chocolate lovers all over Europe will be in for a surprise," Silva Cacao general manager Katrien Delaet said.

Auro Chocolate said its cacao was of single-origin while its chocolate products were made from beans sourced from Mindanao.

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-- with a report from Warren De Guzman, ABS-CBN News