Cash crop

Cocoa: what can it become?

A major export crop where most value is added after the bean leaves the farm.

Raw cocoa
Processing
Value-added products
Packaging
Markets
Customers

Much cocoa leaves Africa as beans. Quality at fermenting and drying, plus local processing into products, are ways to capture more of the value chain.

What can cocoa become?

Well-fermented, dried beans

Quality beans meeting buyer requirements.

Processing: Fermentation and drying done carefully; quality grading.
Equipment: Fermentation boxes
Drying platforms
Moisture meter
Packaging: Clean, breathable sacks.
Storage: Dry, ventilated, pest-free store.
Customer types: Licensed buyers
Cooperatives
Processors
Exporters
Distribution: Through the national marketing or buying system where applicable; rules differ by country.
Possible business models: Quality-focused supply
Cooperative aggregation

Cocoa powder, butter, liquor

Intermediate products made by processing beans.

Processing: Roasting, winnowing, grinding and pressing. Capital- and skill-intensive.
Equipment: Roaster
Winnower
Grinder
Press
Packaging: Food-grade bulk or retail packs.
Storage: Cool, dry, protected from strong odours.
Customer types: Chocolate makers
Bakeries
Cosmetics makers
Distribution: B2B supply, regional trade, export.
Possible business models: Local processing
Ingredient supply

Chocolate and finished products

Branded retail products for consumers.

Processing: Conching, tempering, moulding; strong quality control needed.
Equipment: Specialist chocolate-making machinery
Packaging: Branded, protective packaging.
Storage: Temperature-controlled storage.
Customer types: Consumers
Gift and hospitality markets
Retailers
Distribution: Retail, online and gifting channels.
Possible business models: Own brand
Contract manufacturing

The customers, routes to market, business models and many practical tips on this page are suggestions, not findings. Know something better? Suggest an improvement →

Business opportunities around cocoa

Examples describe possibilities, not guaranteed results. Prices, demand and rules vary by country and season — verify locally.