Foreverland scales cocoa-free chocolate production with new Puglia facility

Credit: Foreverland

Foreverland has opened its first production facility in Puglia, Southern Italy, to produce Choruba, its next-generation cocoa-free chocolate alternative.

The Italian food ingredients company will manufacture more than 500 tonnes of Choruba annually at the site, which marks its transition from pilot projects to industrial scale. The factory will support trials with major manufacturers, secure SME customers and ensure a steady supply of cocoa-free chocolate to meet rising demand.

“The launch of our Puglia facility marks the moment Foreverland moves from pilot projects to full-scale production,” said Massimo Sabatini, Co-founder and CEO of Foreverland. “The new plant allows us to work hand in hand with manufacturers, speed up recipe development, and bring sustainable chocolate alternatives into everyday products across Europe – all while ensuring we can meet demand at accessible price points.”

Choruba uses Mediterranean crops such as carob, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas to replicate chocolate’s flavour and texture while reducing environmental impact. The ingredient offers manufacturers an alternative at a time when the cocoa market is experiencing price volatility, supply shortages and climate-related pressures.

New retail partnership

Alongside the launch, Foreverland announced a new retail partnership with Italian protein innovators Small Giants. Together they have created Choruba Protein Bites – vegan peanut butter and chocolate-flavoured snacks made with Small Giants’ yeast-based protein and coated in Choruba. The high-protein snacks retail at €3.29 for a three-pack or €1.99 for a single bar and are available online and across the Gulliver supermarket chain.

Edoardo Imparato, CEO of Small Giants, commented: “Retailers and consumers are looking for real alternatives in categories like chocolate, where sustainability challenges are growing. Through our collaboration with Foreverland, we’re bringing products made with innovative ingredients to market shelves. They deliver on taste, nutrition and responsibility. It’s a concrete step towards making sustainable indulgence the new normal in European supermarkets.”

Foreverland has also confirmed plans to expand into France and the Nordic region, adding to its existing operations in Italy and Germany.