JEDDAH, 20 April 2007 — Saudi Arabia’s chocolate market continues to expand with new exclusive showrooms by international brands.
The average Saudi consumer of chocolate is estimated to consume 4.8 times a week, proving its popularity in the community. The chocolate category in the Kingdom is generally segmented in two ways — form and flavor.
In terms of chocolate forms, the most popular ones are finger chocolates and count lines with over 50 percent claiming to have consumed them in the last 30 days, according to a survey. Other forms of chocolates have marked a lower consumption pattern.
Tablet chocolates have a consumption rate of 11 percent, gift chocolates six percent, and small bites five percent. One of the most popular flavors is chocolate with nut-based ingredients.
Belgium-based Jean Galler, who considers himself as the creator of chocolates, has announced his plan for 15 outlets across the Kingdom.
He made the announcement during his visit over the weekend when he opened the Kingdom’s first of his showrooms on Prince Abdullah Street in Jeddah.
“In my chocolates, I put the very best (cocoa) beans, the purest ingredients and 30 years of passion,” Galler told Arab News.
Galler was born into a luxury dessert environment. He liked working in the family confectioner’s shop founded by his grandfather in 1930 and he has kept this passion since then. “The magic of the elements has always fascinated me. Air, water, fire and earth are at the basis of every creation,” he said.
When only 16 years old, chocolate fascinated him and he was inspired to experiment with his own creations. To develop his knowledge and discover new savors, he studied in Basel (Switzerland) and then with Gaston Lenotre in Paris. At 21, he launched his own enterprise. Over the last 30 years, the company has become a name to reckon with.
Passion for chocolate, pride in perfection and constant creativity have been the hallmark of his success in the world of chocolates.
Today, his team of 80 employees design, produce and market chocolates that include pralines, ice-creams, patisseries, bars, as well as tablets, cat’s tongues (cartoon cats molded from chocolate), spreads and bite-sized chocolates.
Galler has hundreds of outlets worldwide, notably in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Japan, Lebanon and the United States.
The region’s first Galler showroom opened in Lebanon in 2004, followed by one each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2006. “I have plans to open 15 outlets across the Kingdom in the next five years,” he said. The company has been frequently honored with official recognitions.
Roasting, crushing, first grinding, mixing the ingredients, second grinding, finishing and exporting are the different stages of his chocolate business.
His extensive range includes filled chocolate bars, 100g chocolate tablets, cat’s tongues, pralines, spreads, patisseries and sugar-free varieties.