African countries – Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Madagascar produces at least 60% of world cocoa beans. Dominica Rep in the Caribbean, Nicaragua in Central America are other producers in the ACCA economic zone. Cocoa beans are mainly used for making chocolate with byproduct into animal feed, alcoholic drinks, base for cosmetic product, soap and fertilizer to mention a few. Cocoa demand and popularity have
Bars Chocolate , candy sweet, dessert food on natural paper background
grown over the years satisfying new middle class growth in China, India and other parts of South East Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Ghana has a thriving chocolate industry, Ivory Coast hope to follow soon. In Madagascar – Robert Chocolaterie is leading the way. Majority of ACCA cocoa beans are bought by Hershey, Nestle and Cadbury for production in the west and with the final products sold around the world.
Cocoa cultivation is a traditional farming activity that involves the family and village community. Women play a pivotal role in all aspect of the process leading to export of the beans. In these countries, the process is less mechanical, very labor intensive and time consuming. Like most of these traditional community farming the compensation is not comparable to the degree of work.
Cocoa cultivation is now over due for disruption. The increased demand for cocoa beans should now be matched with a mechanical process. The extraction and processing of the beans also require modernization, freeing the undercompensated workers to focus on value-added activities.
How can we support and grow chocolate making companies in the ACCA zone? This is another sector that require attention from not only within the ACCA zone but also outside. Recently, the leaders of Ghana and Ivory Coast have announced changes to export of raw cocoa beans. KZELLE team will be focusing on and help grow this sector.
On so many levels, this is a sector that is well placed to form business partnership. Cocoa and chocolate association is desperately needed. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Madagascar within Africa and inclusion of Dominica Republic, Nicaragua on a ACCA group. Local expertise is available, substantial financing is required. Willingness and determination will be needed towards changing this sector with opportunity for growth in chocolate making. Great opportunity for inclusive growth that will have positive impact on women’s participation in this and other agricultural sector. These changes will lead to job growth, and also seriously address lingering issues of persistent poverty in those cocoa growing communities.
Join our forum. How can you contribute towards increasing chocolate making companies in Africa, Caribbean or Central America?
Desmond Thorpe – Chief Strategy Officer, Stafford Global Group, Inc.
April 14th, 2021.
