Oonagh Browne
Weave Cacao
Weave Cacao is a chocolate company co-founded by New Zealander Oonagh Browne, whose deep connection to the Pacific and passion for ethical cacao sourcing shape every aspect of the business. Browne had been journeying through the Pacific, working on the ground with farming communities when she had a vision for change for the 2.5 million cacao farmers who live a subsistent life. The farmers had only the bulk cocoa market to sell beans into which was often poorly priced. They had very little bargaining power against powerful corporations, and the supply chain lacked transparency and financial stability, making it difficult for them to earn enough to live on.
In 2022, Browne co-founded Weave Cacao with a dynamic team who believed in the vision. The company makes high-quality couverture chocolate at the Queen Emma Chocolate Factory in Papua New Guinea. It supports the growers, makers, and communities behind each bean, creating chocolate that supports livelihoods as much as it delights the palate.
Organically grown, 100% per cent plant-based, and packaged in a home-compostable bag, Weave Cacao’s Couverture Chocolate Drops embody the company’s commitment to excellence. By refining the beans close to origin, the company keeps more economic value within local communities, supporting jobs and skill development in regions that generally receive only a small share of the chocolate industry’s profits.
Weave Cacao offers transparent pricing, long-term purchasing commitments, and supports cacao communities to have a healthy and happy relationship to cacao. This creates stability for families, strengthening both economic resilience and pride in their crop and craft. The relationships are designed to endure for generations. This blend of ethics, environmental care, and human connection gives the chocolate a deeper resonance; it does good while tasting delicious.
To discover all 49 SHE LEADS videos in the series, view them at pacifictradeinvest.com
