Methods of Production

Source for use with Extract C Belmont Estate Belmont Estate is a plantation established on the Caribbean island of Grenada in the 17th century. Since 2017, its main activity has been chocolate manufacturing. The ‘tree-to-bar’ range of organic chocolate is produced from cocoa grown on the 1.6 km2 plantation. Natural flavours such as mango, banana and ginger are absorbed into the cocoa from crops growing close by, so that Belmont Estate can produce chocolate with unique flavours. Batch production of the chocolate is used and is labour-intensive, from picking the cocoa to wrapping the chocolate bars. Despite the size of the plantation, the production process is well-organised, making it efficient. Belmont Estate prides itself on its reputation and the quality of chocolate produced, allowing it to sell at a price of $7.50 for a 55 g chocolate bar. The owners of Belmont Estate offer a happy and positive place to work. The business aims to support the local community by providing employment and preserving the environment. These aims are well-received by visitors who enjoy tours of the plantation, as well as the increasing number of importers of Belmont Estate’s chocolate bars, most of whom are in the US. Tours of Belmont Estate are run whenever there is a demand, whether from an individual visitor or a bus full of tourists. The price of a tour is $6.00. It is possible to book a tour through Belmont Estate’s own website or through Viatour, a tour business. However, if a tour is booked through Viatour, it charges 17% of the tour price as a fee for taking the booking.

Extract C Belmont Estate Belmont Estate is a plantation established on the Caribbean island of Grenada in the 17th century. Since 2017, its main activity has been chocolate manufacturing. The ‘tree-to-bar’ range of organic chocolate is produced from cocoa grown on the 1.6 km2 plantation. Natural flavours such as mango, banana and ginger are absorbed into the cocoa from crops growing close by, so that Belmont Estate can produce chocolate with unique flavours. Batch production of the chocolate is used and is labour-intensive, from picking the cocoa to wrapping the chocolate bars. Despite the size of the plantation, the production process is well-organised, making it efficient. Belmont Estate prides itself on its reputation and the quality of chocolate produced, allowing it to sell at a price of $7.50 for a 55 g chocolate bar. The owners of Belmont Estate offer a happy and positive place to work. The business aims to support the local community by providing employment and preserving the environment. These aims are well-received by visitors who enjoy tours of the plantation, as well as the increasing number of importers of Belmont Estate’s chocolate bars, most of whom are in the US. Tours of Belmont Estate are run whenever there is a demand, whether from an individual visitor or a bus full of tourists. The price of a tour is $6.00. It is possible to book a tour through Belmont Estate’s own website or through Viatour, a tour business. However, if a tour is booked through Viatour, it charges 17% of the tour price as a fee for taking the booking.

Define the term 'batch production'. (Extract C, line 8)