Puratos Grand-Place Honored with TOP50 CSA 2024 Sustainability Award

Due to the increase of investors, changes in public policy, and shifts in consumer and customer expectations have made ESG (Environment – ​​Society – Governance) standards indispensable for businesses. Companies must now improve and aim to comply with issues related to Environment, Society, and Governance. Consequently, ESG has become a cornerstone for achieving the highest level of business growth, which is Sustainability.

The TOP50 CSA award was established to gather data on sustainable development, assisting the Government and relevant social organizations in making policies that closely follow reality, and supporting businesses in their sustainable development. This effort aligns with Vietnam's commitment to the COP26 Target of reducing net emissions to "zero" by 2050.

The program evaluates businesses based on overall development criteria, including Stable Growth, Sustainable Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance, Environmental Protection, and Social Responsibility.

This year, the program featured 16 award categories. PGPV was recognized in two categories: OPTIMIZE THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS and LEADING SOCIAL INTERGRATION. The panel of judges are from HSBC, PwC, Circular Economy Development Research Institute of Ho Chi Minh City National University, Talentnet Corporation, Schneider Electric, Mekong Capital, and Nhip Cau Dau Tu Magazine.

Source: csa.nhipcaudautu.vn

Despite facing the most severe cocoa supply shortage in over 60 years, PGPV continued to lead the market. On March 26, cocoa prices on the world market surpassed the $10,000/ton mark for the first time in history. Climate change, disease, crop failure, and a decrease in cocoa growing areas were the main causes. Thanks to the Cacao-Trace program, PGPV maintained the purchase of more than 65% of high-quality cocoa grown in Vietnam.

In addition to purchasing cocoa beans at prices higher than the general market rate, PGPV cocoa technicians also shared professional knowledge in farming, management skills, and environmental protection with farmers, helping them increase productivity, cultivate sustainably, and maintain stable cocoa quality. In 2023, the company donated thousands of cocoa seedlings to help expand raw material growing areas.

To support the development of cocoa growing areas, PGPV also has chocolate bonus program. From 2021 to 2023, the company awarded nearly 6 billion VND to Vietnamese farmers, helping them increase their income alongside selling cocoa beans to us. 

Mr. Gricha Safarian, CEO of PGPV, shared: "The initiative of Cacao-Trace program that Puratos Group and Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam are implementing can serve as a model for any agricultural industry. Simply put, we place farmers at the heart of our entire supply chain and are always working to improve farmer welfare. Obviously, without farmers, there would be no cocoa. Without cocoa, there would be no chocolate.”

In 2023, PGPV took new steps with the inauguration of a completely free bakery vocational school located on the campus of Vietnam - Singapore Vocational College, in Binh Duong province. This is the 11th Bakery School of Puratos Group worldwide. The school recruits individuals with particularly difficult circumstances, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop a professional baking career. Tuition, meals, accommodation, and materials are fully funded for the entire 2-year study period.

For the first school year in 2023, we recruited 25 students from across the country. In 2024, we plan to enroll 30 more students. After graduating, students will have the opportunity to work at businesses in the food industry, which are currently PGPV's customers. They will be trained and certified by leading experts from Puratos Group and participate in many practical activities in Vietnam and even abroad.

Ms. Huynh Thi Hoang Quy, Principal of Bakery School Vietnam, said: "The Bakery School Foundation's presence for more than a decade and Bakery School Vietnam's nearly one year of operation have created a significant impact. Actively reaching out to disadvantaged youth groups in society by 'turning trauma into development opportunities,' students will receive high-quality education and gain good job opportunities, bringing stable income for themselves and their families. With the enthusiasm, intelligence, and loving hearts of everyone involved in this project, Bakery School Vietnam is proud to be the first and only school in Vietnam providing in-depth, effective training in all three majors: Bakery, Patisserie, and Chocolate.”

For more information, please contact: 

Vy Nguyen (Ms.) | Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam Branding & Communications Manager 

Phone: 0979.88.13.06   Email: vyntt@puratos.com