Top 10 Cocoa Producing Countries in the World
Who doesn't like chocolate? It is assumed that over 1 billion people eat chocolate every day. The cocoa bean is the main ingredient in chocolate. The word 'Cocoa' comes from the Spanish word 'Cacao', which is originated from the Nahuatl word 'cacahauti'. It is the seed of the cacao tree, a tropical plant that is indigenous to the equatorial regions of the Americas but is now grown in many countries with a warm, tropical climate. It is named ‘theobroma cacao’, by Swedish natural scientist Carl Linnaeus. The name Theobroma is taken from Greek and that means “food of the Gods”. According to a recent report from Mordor Intelligence, over 4.4 million metric tons of cocoa beans is produced each year. Due to its huge popularity across all age groups and influence on cultures, chocolate is among the most consumed foods in the entire world.
Cocoa beans are grown on cacao trees and have been eaten for thousands of years. It emerged in Central America and parts of Mexico. More than 5,000 years ago, it was consumed by the Mayans and Olmeca civilization in spiritual ceremonies. Cocoa beans were first brought over to Europe by Christopher Columbus. Since then, the love of chocolate quickly spread across the whole of Europe. The U.S. inherited its love of chocolate through its European immigrants. Cocoa beans are primarily used to produce chocolate and other popular confectionery products around the world. Today, 90% of the global cocoa beans produced are consumed for chocolate production. It is used to produce products including cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, cocoa husk, drinks, alcohol, cosmetic products, animal feed.
The global cocoa market is conquered by the world’s top cocoa-producing countries mainly in Africa and Central America. Currently, Africa is the largest producer of cocoa, accounting for 72% of the total global production followed by Latin America and the Asia Pacific. Currently, Asia produces about 13% of the world’s cocoa beans, but this is only going to increase. Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana account for approximately 60% of the world’s total cocoa production. Brazil was the largest cocoa producer in the world throughout the 19th century until the Ivory Coast and West Africa surpassed it. Major cocoa bean exporting countries include Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Indonesia and, Malaysia among others.
Europe is the largest consumer and importer followed by North America.
The top four countries accountable for the production of the world's chocolate are Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Poland, all located in Europe. These four countries account for over 40% of the world's total chocolate exports. But, none of these countries is themselves sources of cocoa. Swiss-based Nestle is one of the biggest manufacturers of chocolate in the world. The chocolate industry is worth $103 billion and is expected to reach $182 billion in 2025. As long as people proceed to consume chocolate and various other products made from cocoa, the cultivation of the cocoa bean is crucial to produce chocolates.
Cocoa beans are grown on cacao trees and have been eaten for thousands of years. It emerged in Central America and parts of Mexico. More than 5,000 years ago, it was consumed by the Mayans and Olmeca civilization in spiritual ceremonies. Cocoa beans were first brought over to Europe by Christopher Columbus. Since then, the love of chocolate quickly spread across the whole of Europe. The U.S. inherited its love of chocolate through its European immigrants. Cocoa beans are primarily used to produce chocolate and other popular confectionery products around the world. Today, 90% of the global cocoa beans produced are consumed for chocolate production. It is used to produce products including cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, cocoa husk, drinks, alcohol, cosmetic products, animal feed.
The global cocoa market is conquered by the world’s top cocoa-producing countries mainly in Africa and Central America. Currently, Africa is the largest producer of cocoa, accounting for 72% of the total global production followed by Latin America and the Asia Pacific. Currently, Asia produces about 13% of the world’s cocoa beans, but this is only going to increase. Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana account for approximately 60% of the world’s total cocoa production. Brazil was the largest cocoa producer in the world throughout the 19th century until the Ivory Coast and West Africa surpassed it. Major cocoa bean exporting countries include Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Indonesia and, Malaysia among others.
Europe is the largest consumer and importer followed by North America.
The top four countries accountable for the production of the world's chocolate are Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Poland, all located in Europe. These four countries account for over 40% of the world's total chocolate exports. But, none of these countries is themselves sources of cocoa. Swiss-based Nestle is one of the biggest manufacturers of chocolate in the world. The chocolate industry is worth $103 billion and is expected to reach $182 billion in 2025. As long as people proceed to consume chocolate and various other products made from cocoa, the cultivation of the cocoa bean is crucial to produce chocolates.
Scroll through to see all Top 10 Cocoa Producing Countries in the World :-
10. Colombia :-
Colombian cocoa is in high demand, both domestically and internationally. Cocoa is a traditional crop related to Colombian culture. Colombian cocoa is world-renowned for its flavour and aroma and it is categorized within a special cocoa category. Colombian Premium cocoa production is also classified as ‘Cacao Fino de Aroma’, grows in different regions.
Cocoa production in Colombia has boosted by more than 60 per cent between 2011 and 2019, touching an output of nearly 60 thousand metric tons. Colombia has 12.8 million hectares that are highly or relatively suitable for sustainable commercial production of cocoa crops. Furthermore, the sector leads job creation and sustainable environmental and economic development in Colombia.
The Dominican Republic is known as the ninth-largest producer of cocoa in the world, with 70,000 tonnes of high-grade, organic, fine-flavour cocoa for export each year. In the last decade, cocoa exports have grown in the country by 322%. It is currently a world leader in organic cocoa, with a 60% Volume of exports. The country is also recognized for the source of fine flavour cocoa, with 40% of its exports supplying this premium cocoa.
Its exports once reached US $ 261 million, which denotes the capacity of the industry. In the Dominican Republic, there are around 150,000 hectares cultivated with cocoa by about 40,000 producers, with 36,236 farms registered, of which 16.5% are employed in the production of organic cocoa. most of them are organized into associations and cooperatives.
The indigenous people of Peru made cacao drinks from fermented beans as far back as 1900 BC. Today, 1.7 % of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in Peru, making it the 8th largest producer according to global rankings and 3rd in Latin America after Brazil and Ecuador. In addition, it is the 2nd largest organic cocoa producer after the Dominican Republic. Not only is Peru a major grower, but it also boasts six of the 10 genetic families of cacao that occur in the world, resulting in the wide variety of flavours of Peruvian speciality chocolate. In 2017, the country’s cocoa production attained 120 thousand metric tonnes. Peru's export reached $294 million in 2019.
Peru cultivates mainly Trinitario,
Forastero and Criollo cacao varieties.
More than 50,000 Peruvians earn a living through the cultivation and production of cacao. Peruvian farmers have an average farm size of two hectares that make up the 40,000 cacao hectares mainly in the Eastern Andes and Peruvian Amazon rainforest. The yield per hectare varies from 1 to 2.5 metric tons. Currently, the industry is creating 10 million daily wages and 266 million USD of exports, primarily to the European Union. In terms of people employed, cocoa is the second most important agricultural product after coffee. 87 per cent of this cacao has been exported in the form of cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa powder or chocolate.
Cocoa plays a very important role in Ecuador´s history and economy. The cocoa culture in Ecuador has an ancient history. when the Spaniards landed, they already saw big cocoa trees on the Pacific coast, which would indicate their existence and use before the arrival of the Europeans. Nowadays, many varieties of cocoa are grown in Ecuador, however, the variety called Arriba or Nacional, is the one most wished by chocolate producers, because of the quality of its beans and the finesse of its flavour. According to data of the Fine Aromatic Cocoa Observatory for Latin America, Ecuador is responsible for over 62% of the world production of fine aromatic cocoa. The agricultural cultivation of cocoa stretches over an area of 573,516 Hector, hardly 2.3% of the country’s total area. Most of this production takes place in the coastal provinces, followed by subtropical areas of some highland provinces and a smaller proportion in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
It involves around 150,000 families. Most, approximately 70%, are small-scale producers, 20% being medium and 10% large producers. The agricultural activity generates about 320,000 jobs, of which 73% are men and 27% are women. Over the past five years, average exports surpassed 254,000 tons, representing more than 550 million dollars (FOB) for the national economy each year. Total exports of Ecuador in recent years have surged by an average of 8% per year. Currently, Ecuador is between third and fourth place of world cocoa exporters.
Cocoa is an important part of the Brazilian agricultural economy. In the early 1980s, Brazil produced approximately 430,000 tons of cocoa beans. But, decreasing prices and the spread of a fungal disease called Witches’ Broom led to a fall in volume to less than 200,000 tons per year. This South American country still plays a vital role in the global market, ranking among the top seven. More than 580 thousand hectares cultivated with cocoa were harvested in Brazil, and the production value of this crop amounted to more than 2.5 billion Brazilian reals.
Cocoa production in Colombia has boosted by more than 60 per cent between 2011 and 2019, touching an output of nearly 60 thousand metric tons. Colombia has 12.8 million hectares that are highly or relatively suitable for sustainable commercial production of cocoa crops. Furthermore, the sector leads job creation and sustainable environmental and economic development in Colombia.
9. Dominican Republic :-
The Dominican Republic is known as the ninth-largest producer of cocoa in the world, with 70,000 tonnes of high-grade, organic, fine-flavour cocoa for export each year. In the last decade, cocoa exports have grown in the country by 322%. It is currently a world leader in organic cocoa, with a 60% Volume of exports. The country is also recognized for the source of fine flavour cocoa, with 40% of its exports supplying this premium cocoa.
Its exports once reached US $ 261 million, which denotes the capacity of the industry. In the Dominican Republic, there are around 150,000 hectares cultivated with cocoa by about 40,000 producers, with 36,236 farms registered, of which 16.5% are employed in the production of organic cocoa. most of them are organized into associations and cooperatives.
8. Peru :-
The indigenous people of Peru made cacao drinks from fermented beans as far back as 1900 BC. Today, 1.7 % of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in Peru, making it the 8th largest producer according to global rankings and 3rd in Latin America after Brazil and Ecuador. In addition, it is the 2nd largest organic cocoa producer after the Dominican Republic. Not only is Peru a major grower, but it also boasts six of the 10 genetic families of cacao that occur in the world, resulting in the wide variety of flavours of Peruvian speciality chocolate. In 2017, the country’s cocoa production attained 120 thousand metric tonnes. Peru's export reached $294 million in 2019.
Peru cultivates mainly Trinitario,
Forastero and Criollo cacao varieties.
More than 50,000 Peruvians earn a living through the cultivation and production of cacao. Peruvian farmers have an average farm size of two hectares that make up the 40,000 cacao hectares mainly in the Eastern Andes and Peruvian Amazon rainforest. The yield per hectare varies from 1 to 2.5 metric tons. Currently, the industry is creating 10 million daily wages and 266 million USD of exports, primarily to the European Union. In terms of people employed, cocoa is the second most important agricultural product after coffee. 87 per cent of this cacao has been exported in the form of cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa powder or chocolate.
7. Ecuador :-
Cocoa plays a very important role in Ecuador´s history and economy. The cocoa culture in Ecuador has an ancient history. when the Spaniards landed, they already saw big cocoa trees on the Pacific coast, which would indicate their existence and use before the arrival of the Europeans. Nowadays, many varieties of cocoa are grown in Ecuador, however, the variety called Arriba or Nacional, is the one most wished by chocolate producers, because of the quality of its beans and the finesse of its flavour. According to data of the Fine Aromatic Cocoa Observatory for Latin America, Ecuador is responsible for over 62% of the world production of fine aromatic cocoa. The agricultural cultivation of cocoa stretches over an area of 573,516 Hector, hardly 2.3% of the country’s total area. Most of this production takes place in the coastal provinces, followed by subtropical areas of some highland provinces and a smaller proportion in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
It involves around 150,000 families. Most, approximately 70%, are small-scale producers, 20% being medium and 10% large producers. The agricultural activity generates about 320,000 jobs, of which 73% are men and 27% are women. Over the past five years, average exports surpassed 254,000 tons, representing more than 550 million dollars (FOB) for the national economy each year. Total exports of Ecuador in recent years have surged by an average of 8% per year. Currently, Ecuador is between third and fourth place of world cocoa exporters.
6. Brazil :-
Cocoa is an important part of the Brazilian agricultural economy. In the early 1980s, Brazil produced approximately 430,000 tons of cocoa beans. But, decreasing prices and the spread of a fungal disease called Witches’ Broom led to a fall in volume to less than 200,000 tons per year. This South American country still plays a vital role in the global market, ranking among the top seven. More than 580 thousand hectares cultivated with cocoa were harvested in Brazil, and the production value of this crop amounted to more than 2.5 billion Brazilian reals.
5. Cameroon :-
Cameroon produced approximately 280 thousand tons of cocoa beans in 2021.
Cameroon is the fifth largest cocoa-producing country in the world. Cocoa plays an important role in the country's economy as it is the second-largest export product. Cameroon intends to double its cocoa production in the coming decade. The nation desires to boost this to 640,000 MT per year by 2030.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, between 300,000 and 500,000 households produce cocoa. According to data from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), 186,000 tons of unprocessed beans were exported and 55,000 tons were sold to local processors.
4. Nigeria :-
Cocoa production is important to the economy of Nigeria. Cocoa is the leading agricultural export of the country and Nigeria is currently the world's fourth-largest producer and the third-largest exporter of cocoa. Nigeria produced approximately 270 thousand tons of cocoa beans in 2021. Nigeria made $1.3 billion from cocoa export. The major states that produce cocoa are Ondo, Cross River, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Delta, Osun and Oyo.
While the crop is sometimes planted on a large scale in Nigeria, the sector is led by small scale farmers. Nigeria’s cocoa is cultivated on 800,000 hectares of land and makes up 5% of global cocoa production which is contributed by an estimated 300,000 cocoa farmers, two-thirds of which reside in southwest Nigeria. Osun, Ondo and Cross River states are recorded to contribute approximately 68% of Nigeria’s yearly cocoa output.
3. Indonesia :-
Indonesia produced approximately 659 thousand tons of cocoa beans in 2021.
The cocoa bean is one of the most important agricultural export products of Indonesia. Indonesia is the third biggest cocoa producer and most of the cocoa beans come from Sulawesi island. cocoa forms Indonesia's fourth-largest foreign exchange earning from the agriculture sector. Indonesia's main locations of cocoa production are Sulawesi, North Sumatra, West Java, Papua, East Kalimantan.
The country currently has approximately 1.5 million hectares of cocoa farms. The main Indonesian cocoa producing region is the island of Sulawesi which accounts for around 75 per cent of Indonesia's total cocoa production. In the past 25 years, the Indonesian cocoa sector has encountered massive growth, propelled by the rapid expansion of smallholder farmer participation. Despite the existence of big state plantations and large private estates, it is dominated by smallholder farmers.
2. Ghana :-
Ghana is estimated to have produced about 800 thousand tons of cocoa beans in 2020. Cocoa production has been the backbone of Ghana’s economy since the 1870s. Ghana is the second-largest cocoa exporter in the world, after Ivory Coast. It dominates the agricultural sector and contributes about 30% of the country’s export earnings. Cocoa production occurs in the country's forested areas are Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central Region, Eastern Region, Western Region, and Volta, where rainfall is 1,000–1,500 millimetres per year.
Cocoa was first exported at the end of the 19th century, and between 1911 - 1976 Ghana was the world's leading producer, contributing between 30-40% of the world's total output. Cocoa employs about 800,000 farmers directly. There are currently around 1.6 million people involved in growing cocoa and many more in related industries. It also supports the commerce, service and industrial sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
1. Ivory Coast :-
Producing cocoa is a culture in Ivory Coast. According to the report, the Ivory Coast produced approximately 2.15 million tons of cocoa beans in 2020/2021. Ivory Coast leads the world in the production and export of the cocoa beans used in the manufacture of chocolate. It is responsible for supplying 38% of cocoa produced in the world. Ivory Coast surpassed Ghana as the world's leading producer of cocoa beans in 1978, and today is highly dependent on the crop, which accounts for 40% of national export revenue.
Cocoa cultivation was massively promoted by Ivory Coast's government following independence in 1960. Since then, industry becoming the backbone of the country's growth as one of West Africa's leading economies. Cocoa is a major contributor to export earnings. It provides livelihoods for almost seven million farmers in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Indirectly, cocoa contributes to the livelihoods of a further 50 million people.
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