http://kerrysmallbusiness.com/2009/10/kerry-chocolate/
Two Kerry businesses are featured in today’s Irish Times – in Kate Holmquist’s article “How the Irish went loco for cocoa”.
Colm Healy, who owns Skelling Chocolates (http://www.skelligschocolate.com/), says that 50% of the chocolates, worth about €1 million annually, is mail order business within Ireland and the rest is exports to the US, UK and Europe. Colm is also in partnership with Cocoabean, and their products are manufactured and sold at the same factory.
Benoit Lorge (http://www.lorge.ie/) is based in Kenmare and has changed to making more chocolates for his own shops rather than relying on the hotel market. More people holidaying at home has benefited his sales. He comments: “People like a treat and can spend as little as €5 if they want to. I haven’t felt the downturn but it is more difficult to get investment.”
The Temple Bar Chocolate Festival takes place from 30th October to 1st november in Temple Bar,Dublin.