Cocoa Production: Leading Countries in the Global Ranking

 

The Global Cocoa Production Countries

Cocoa, the fundamental ingredient in chocolate, is a globally traded commodity with a fascinating journey from bean to bar. While enjoyed worldwide, its cultivation is largely concentrated in a narrow band around the equator, primarily in tropical regions of Africa, South America, and Asia.

The global cocoa market is highly dependent on a few key players. West Africa, in particular, dominates production, with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana leading the charge. These two nations alone account for a significant majority of the world's cocoa supply.

Cocoa Production Country

Here's a closer look at the leading cocoa-producing countries, based on recent data from 2023:

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes, 2023)	Approximate Share of Global Production	Region
1	Côte d'Ivoire	2,377,442	42%	West Africa
2	Ghana	653,700	9%	West Africa
3	Indonesia	641,741	9%	Southeast Asia
4	Ecuador	375,719	5%	South America
5	Brazil	296,145	4%	South America
6	Cameroon	295,819	4%	Central Africa
7	Nigeria	284,232	4%	West Africa
8	Peru	166,709	2%	South America
9	Dominican Republic	65,930	1%	Caribbean
10	Colombia	59,831	1%	South America

Key Insights:

• West African Dominance: Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana consistently remain the top producers, highlighting West Africa's crucial role in the global cocoa supply chain.
• Growing Asian and Latin American Presence: While Africa leads, countries like Indonesia and Ecuador are significant contributors and are recognized for their distinct cocoa varieties and flavors. Ecuador, for instance, is known for its fine-flavor "Nacional" cocoa.
• Challenges in the Industry: Cocoa production faces various challenges, including climate change impacts, price volatility, and socio-economic issues like low farmer incomes and child labor in some regions. Sustainable practices and fair trade initiatives are increasingly important to address these concerns.
• Global Consumption: After harvest, cocoa beans are primarily exported to Europe and North America, where they are processed into cocoa mass, butter, powder, and ultimately, chocolate products. The European Union is the largest importer of cocoa beans globally.

The journey of cocoa from the farm to our favorite chocolate treats is a complex one, involving millions of farmers and a global network of trade. Understanding the geographical distribution of cocoa production helps shed light on the dynamics of this vital agricultural industry.

Côte d'Ivoire: The Heart of Global Cocoa Production

Côte d'Ivoire stands as the undisputed global leader in cocoa production, a position it has held for decades. The "brown gold" is the lifeblood of the Ivorian economy, significantly contributing to its GDP, export earnings, and providing livelihoods for millions. However, this crucial sector faces a complex interplay of challenges, including environmental degradation, socio-economic issues for farmers, and the impacts of climate change.

Economic Backbone

Cocoa production is fundamental to Côte d'Ivoire's economic stability and growth. It accounts for a substantial portion of the country's export earnings, often exceeding 40%, and contributes significantly to the national GDP. The sector employs close to a million producers, supporting the income of roughly five million people – a fifth of the country's population. This deep reliance on cocoa, while providing immense benefits, also exposes the economy to the volatility of global cocoa prices and climate-related production fluctuations.

Production Trends and Challenges

Over the years, Côte d'Ivoire has consistently produced millions of metric tons of cocoa beans. However, recent trends indicate a fluctuating output, often impacted by adverse weather conditions, aging plantations, and the spread of plant diseases. The 2023/2024 market year, for instance, saw a notable decrease in production compared to the preceding year, primarily due to poor weather.

Key Challenges Facing Ivorian Cocoa Production:

• Environmental Degradation: Decades of cocoa expansion have led to significant deforestation, with tropical moist forest converted to cocoa plantations. This not only impacts biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change effects. Soil degradation and the misuse of pesticides further contribute to environmental concerns.
• Climate Change: Extreme weather events, including prolonged dry seasons and excessive rainfall (leading to issues like brown rot), directly impact cocoa yields and quality, creating unpredictability for farmers.
• Farmer Poverty: Despite the sector's economic importance, a significant portion of cocoa farmers live below the poverty line. Low incomes, fluctuating prices, and limited access to financial services hinder their ability to invest in sustainable practices and improve living conditions.
• Child Labor: Child labor remains a prevalent issue in West African cocoa farms, often driven by the economic hardship of farming families who cannot afford external labor.
• Aging Plantations and Low Productivity: Many cocoa trees are old, and soil fertility has depleted from continuous cultivation, leading to lower yields. Limited access to planting materials, compost, and fertilizers further compounds this issue.
• Lack of Land Tenure Security: The absence of land titles for many smallholder farmers discourages long-term investments in their farms and sustainable practices.

Table: Côte d'Ivoire Cocoa Bean Production (Selected Years)

Market Year (October-September)	Total Bean Production (Thousand Metric Tons)	Notes
2022/2023	2,300	Peak production, per USDA estimates
2023/2024	1,760	24% decrease from previous year due to poor weather
2024/2025 (Forecast)	1,800	Expected increase of 2% from previous year, but facing challenges
2021 (Calendar Year)	2,250	Peak calendar year production, per ICCO
2019-2022 (Annual Avg)	2,100 - 2,150	Average annual production range

Note: Production figures can vary slightly depending on the reporting agency (e.g., USDA FAS, ICCO, Central Bank of West African States) and whether they refer to market years (October-September) or calendar years.

Moving Towards Sustainability

Recognizing these challenges, Côte d'Ivoire and its international partners are increasingly focusing on sustainable cocoa farming practices. Initiatives include:

• Agroforestry: Integrating trees within cocoa plantations to promote biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and create a microclimate beneficial to cocoa productivity. This also offers additional income sources for farmers.
• Zero-Deforestation Agriculture: Implementing policies and measures to combat deforestation, with a target of restoring a significant portion of the country's forest cover.
• Farmer Training and Support: Providing farmers with training in good agricultural practices, pruning techniques, and disease management to improve yields and quality.
• Improving Farmer Income: Efforts to ensure a living income for farmers and better terms of trade, including premiums for sustainably produced cocoa.
• Land Tenure Security: Addressing the lack of land certification to encourage long-term investments and sustainable practices.
• Child Labor Reduction: Implementing programs to combat child labor and support the welfare of children in cocoa-growing regions.

The future of Côte d'Ivoire's cocoa industry hinges on its ability to transition to a more sustainable and equitable model, balancing economic prosperity with environmental protection and social well-being for its millions of cocoa farmers. This includes government goals to process a higher percentage of cocoa locally before export, aiming to capture more added value within the country.

Ghana: A Pillar of the Global Cocoa Industry

Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer after Côte d'Ivoire, plays a pivotal role in the global chocolate supply chain. Cocoa is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, contributing significantly to its foreign exchange earnings, GDP, and providing a livelihood for an estimated 800,000 farm families. However, like its West African neighbor, Ghana's cocoa sector grapples with a multitude of challenges, from climate change and diseases to illegal mining and farmer income issues.

Economic Significance

Cocoa has been a cornerstone of Ghana's economy for over a century. It's the country's most important agricultural export, generating substantial foreign exchange and serving as a major contributor to government revenue and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The industry supports millions of people, not only directly through farming but also indirectly through related commerce, services, and industrial activities. This economic dependence underscores the critical need for a resilient and sustainable cocoa sector.

Production Dynamics and Challenges

Ghana's cocoa production has seen fluctuations in recent years. While the 2020/2021 crop year marked a record high, subsequent seasons have experienced declines due to various factors.

Key Challenges Facing Ghanaian Cocoa Production:

• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry seasons, and increased temperatures adversely affect cocoa yields and quality. Issues like unseasonal rains and droughts disrupt the growth cycle of cocoa pods.
• Diseases and Pests: The Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) and black pod disease are particularly devastating, affecting large portions of Ghana's cocoa tree stock. Pests like capsids also cause significant losses.
• Illegal Mining ("Galamsey"): Unlicensed gold mining operations continue to destroy vast areas of cocoa farms, rendering land unproductive and polluting water bodies in cocoa-growing regions. This is a severe threat to the industry's long-term viability.
• Aging Plantations and Low Productivity: Many cocoa trees are old and less productive. Soil fertility depletion from continuous cultivation also contributes to lower yields. Ghana's average yields per hectare are significantly lower than those in some other producing countries.
• Farmer Income and Poverty: Despite the global demand for cocoa, many Ghanaian cocoa farmers struggle with low incomes and live below the poverty line. Fluctuating global cocoa prices and limited access to fair pricing mechanisms contribute to this challenge.
• Smuggling: The discrepancy between the official cocoa price in Ghana and higher world market prices incentivizes smuggling of beans to neighboring countries, leading to losses for COCOBOD and official export figures.
• Aging Farmer Population and Youth Disinterest: The average age of cocoa farmers is increasing, and fewer young people are attracted to cocoa farming due to its perceived low returns and labor-intensive nature.

Role of COCOBOD and Sustainability Efforts

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is the national regulatory agency responsible for the entire cocoa value chain. Its mission is to promote and facilitate the production, processing, and marketing of quality cocoa. COCOBOD undertakes scientific research, regulates internal marketing, secures favorable terms for purchase and export, and assists in industry development.

Ghana, in collaboration with Côte d'Ivoire, also leads the Côte d'Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), established to jointly influence global cocoa prices and ensure a living income for farmers. This initiative introduced a Living Income Differential (LID), a premium paid on cocoa, to improve farmer revenues.

Key Sustainability Initiatives and Interventions:

• Cocoa Rehabilitation Program: Aims to rejuvenate old and diseased farms by replacing unproductive trees with new, high-yielding, and disease-resistant varieties, often through a cutting-out and replanting approach.
• Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC): Provides farmers with spraying services and insecticides to combat pests and diseases.
• Climate-Smart Cocoa (CSC) Production: Promotes sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of climate change. This includes integrating shade trees (agroforestry) within cocoa farms to improve soil health, conserve moisture, and enhance biodiversity.
• Farmer Training and Support: COCOBOD's Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) provides training in good agricultural practices, pruning, and farm management.
• Combatting Illegal Mining: The government has intensified efforts to combat "galamsey" through task forces, stricter enforcement, and community engagement.
• Expanding Domestic Processing: Ghana aims to process a higher percentage of its cocoa beans locally to add value, create jobs, and reduce vulnerability to volatile raw bean prices.
• Rural Financing and Insurance: Efforts are being made to improve farmers' access to credit and crop insurance to build resilience against economic and climate shocks.

Table: Ghana Cocoa Bean Production (Selected Years)

Market Year (October-September)	Total Bean Production (Thousand Metric Tons)	Notes
2020/2021	1,047	Highest recorded production
2021/2022	683.3	Decline from previous year
2022/2023	655.8	Continued decline
2023/2024	531.0	Significant drop due to various factors
2024/2025 (Forecast)	700.0	Expected recovery due to improved yields and COCOBOD efforts

Note: Production figures can vary slightly depending on the reporting agency (e.g., USDA FAS, ICCO) and whether they refer to market years (October-September) or calendar years. The 2023/2024 figures saw significant downward revisions due to adverse conditions.

Ghana's cocoa sector faces a critical juncture. Sustaining its position as a global cocoa powerhouse will require concerted efforts to address the environmental, social, and economic challenges, ensuring that cocoa remains a source of prosperity for its farmers and the nation.

Indonesia Cocoa Production

Indonesia, once a formidable force in global cocoa production, currently holds the position as the world's third-largest producer after Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Despite its favorable climate and vast agricultural lands, the archipelago has seen a decline in its cocoa output from peak levels. The sector is dominated by smallholder farmers, who contribute over 90% of the national production, and faces a complex array of issues ranging from climate change impacts to low farmer incomes and aging plantations.

A Shifting Landscape

Historically, Indonesia rapidly expanded its cocoa cultivation, particularly in Sulawesi, which remains the primary cocoa-producing region. While the country's total production has fluctuated, a general downward trend has been observed since its peak in the early 2010s. This decline is largely attributed to systemic challenges that impact productivity and sustainability.

Key Challenges Facing Indonesian Cocoa Production:

• Aging Trees and Low Productivity: A significant portion of Indonesia's cocoa trees were planted in the 1980s and 1990s. With a typical productive lifespan of around 25 years, many of these trees are now past their prime, leading to diminished yields. The average yield per hectare in Indonesia is considerably lower than in other major producing countries.
• Pests and Diseases: Cocoa farms are highly vulnerable to pests like the cocoa pod borer and diseases such as black pod. These issues, often exacerbated by insufficient farm management and changing weather patterns, can lead to significant crop losses.
• Climate Change Impacts: Indonesia's equatorial climate is ideal for cocoa, but it is also highly susceptible to climate change. Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including prolonged dry seasons and excessive rainfall, lead to higher temperatures and increased fungal attacks. This makes farming more challenging and risky.
• Low Farmer Income and Quality Issues: Many smallholder farmers struggle with low incomes, often below the national poverty line. This financial strain limits their ability to invest in better farming practices, quality inputs (like fertilizers and improved seedlings), and proper post-harvest handling. The reluctance to ferment beans due to immediate cash needs also results in lower quality, unfermented cocoa, which fetches lower prices in the international market.
• Limited Access to Finance and Knowledge: Small-scale farmers often lack access to credit and formal financial services, hindering their capacity for farm rehabilitation and improvement. Furthermore, there's a need for more widespread training in good agricultural practices, including pruning, pest control, and efficient fertilizer application.
• Competition from Other Crops: Due to the challenges and often low returns from cocoa, some farmers are diversifying or switching to more lucrative crops such as palm oil, further reducing cocoa supplies.

Moving Towards Sustainability and Revival

Recognizing the critical importance of cocoa to its economy and rural livelihoods, Indonesia, alongside various stakeholders, is implementing initiatives to revitalize the sector. These efforts often focus on improving productivity, enhancing quality, and promoting sustainable practices.

• Rehabilitation Programs: Programs aimed at rehabilitating old and unproductive farms through replanting with disease-resistant, high-yielding varieties are crucial.
• Agroforestry and Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promoting the integration of other trees and crops within cocoa farms can enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, create favorable microclimates, and provide diversified income sources for farmers.
• Improving Post-Harvest Handling: Efforts are being made to encourage proper fermentation of cocoa beans to improve quality and access higher-value specialty markets, leading to better farmer prices.
• Farmer Training and Support: Collaboration between the government, private sector, and NGOs provides training on good agricultural practices, farm management, and financial literacy to empower farmers.
• Partnerships for Value Addition: Initiatives like the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP) bring together public and private entities to address challenges and create a more sustainable cocoa supply chain. There's also a growing focus on increasing domestic cocoa processing to capture more value within Indonesia.

Table: Indonesia Cocoa Bean Production (Selected Years)

Year	Total Bean Production (Metric Tons)	Notes
2010	837,918	Peak production
2015	593,331
2020	720,660
2021	688,210
2022	650,612
2023	632,117	Data indicates a continued decline.
2023/2024*	160,000	ICCO estimate for market year (October-September), often much lower than BPS annual figures.

Note: Production figures can vary significantly depending on the reporting agency (e.g., Badan Pusat Statistik/BPS Indonesia for calendar year, or international organizations like ICCO and USDA for market years) and their methodologies. The ICCO figures often refer to "grindings" or a specific market year estimate which might be considerably lower than Indonesia's own reported annual production, reflecting different data collection methods and focus areas. Smallholder farmers account for over 90% of total production.

Indonesia's journey in cocoa production reflects a dynamic interplay of opportunities and challenges. By fostering sustainable practices, enhancing farmer capabilities, and improving bean quality, Indonesia aims to strengthen its position in the global cocoa market and ensure a brighter future for its cocoa farming communities.

Cocoa Production in Ecuador

Ecuador has emerged as a significant player in the global cocoa market, distinguishing itself as the world's leading producer and exporter of "fine flavor" cocoa. This unique specialization, centered around its renowned Nacional or "Arriba" variety, sets Ecuador apart from the commodity-grade bulk cocoa produced by West African giants. While total production volume is lower than the top producers, Ecuador's focus on quality has secured it a niche in the premium chocolate market.

The Allure of Fine Flavor Cocoa

Ecuador's Cacao Nacional Arriba is globally celebrated for its complex sensory profile, featuring distinct floral, fruity, and nutty notes. This "fine flavor" cocoa accounts for only about 5-10% of global cocoa production, and Ecuador proudly contributes over half of this rare and highly sought-after commodity. This specialization allows Ecuadorian farmers to command higher prices, providing a crucial advantage in the international market.

The historical "Arriba" name originates from the practice of Swiss traders who would ask for the cocoa that came "upriver" from the fertile coastal plains, signifying its superior quality. Today, this tradition continues, with "Arriba" cocoa forming the basis of many high-end and artisanal chocolates worldwide.

Production Growth and Economic Impact

Cocoa is a vital component of Ecuador's agricultural economy. It contributes significantly to the country's agricultural GDP and provides livelihoods for an estimated 100,000 producers, most of whom are smallholder farmers cultivating less than 10 hectares. The sector has experienced considerable growth in recent decades, driven by strong international demand for fine flavor cocoa and proactive government and private sector initiatives.

Ecuador exports the vast majority of its cocoa production, primarily as raw beans, though there is a growing trend towards increasing local processing into semi-finished products like cocoa liquor, butter, and powder to capture more added value.

Challenges and Sustainability Initiatives

Despite its premium position, Ecuador's cocoa sector faces its own set of challenges that need to be addressed for sustained growth and resilience:

• Climate Change Vulnerability: Like other cocoa-producing regions, Ecuador is susceptible to climate change impacts, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, and increased pest and disease pressure.
• Pests and Diseases: Diseases like frosty pod rot (Moniliophthora roreri) can significantly impact yields, requiring diligent farm management and disease-resistant varieties.
• Low Productivity of Smallholders: While fine flavor cocoa fetches higher prices, many smallholder farmers still face challenges with low yields due to aging trees, insufficient knowledge of modern agricultural practices, and limited access to quality inputs and finance.
• Cadmium Levels: Some areas of Ecuador's soil naturally contain higher levels of cadmium, which can be absorbed by cocoa trees. This is a concern for importers, and research and mitigation strategies are ongoing to address this.
• Deforestation Concerns: The expansion of cocoa cultivation, particularly the shift towards hybrid monoculture varieties for higher yields, has raised concerns about deforestation and its impact on biodiversity in certain regions.
• Market Access and Fair Pricing: Ensuring fair prices and direct market access for smallholder farmers remains a challenge, despite the premium commanded by fine flavor cocoa.

To address these issues, various initiatives are underway:

• Sustainable Farming Practices: Promotion of agroforestry systems, which integrate trees into cocoa farms, to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and make farms more resilient to climate change.
• Farmer Training and Support: Programs focus on improving good agricultural practices, pest and disease management, pruning techniques, and post-harvest processing (e.g., fermentation and drying) to enhance bean quality.
• Research and Development: Continued investment in developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and low-cadmium cocoa varieties.
• Traceability and Certification: Efforts to enhance traceability in the supply chain and promote certified sustainable cocoa (e.g., organic, fair trade) to meet increasing consumer demand and comply with regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
• Value Addition: Encouraging more local processing and chocolate manufacturing to retain a larger share of the value chain within Ecuador.

Table: Ecuador Cocoa Bean Production (Selected Years)

Year	Total Bean Production (Metric Tons)	Notes
2015	180,192
2016	177,551
2017	205,955
2018	235,182
2019	283,680	Ranked 5th globally in 2019
2021	293,420	Ranked 5th globally in 2021
2022	~390,000	Estimated, various sources cite different figures
2026 (Forecast)	351,620	Expected production per ReportLinker forecast

Note: Production figures can vary slightly depending on the reporting agency (e.g., NationMaster, ReportLinker, USDA) and their methodologies. Ecuador's production has shown a strong upward trend over the last decade, particularly in fine flavor varieties.

Ecuador's dedication to quality and its unique "fine flavor" cocoa position it strongly in the premium segment of the global chocolate market. By continuing to invest in sustainable practices, farmer support, and value addition, Ecuador can ensure its cocoa sector remains a source of national pride and economic prosperity.

Cocoa Production in Brazil

Brazil, a country intrinsically linked to the origins of cocoa, is diligently working to reclaim its position as a major global producer. Once the world's second-largest cocoa supplier, Brazil's output suffered a dramatic decline in the late 20th century due to the devastating "witches' broom" disease. However, with renewed investment, advanced agricultural techniques, and a focus on sustainability and quality, Brazil is poised for a significant comeback.

A History of Cocoa and a Period of Decline

Cocoa cultivation in Brazil dates back centuries, with the Amazon basin being the native home of the Theobroma cacao tree. Commercial production flourished particularly in the state of Bahia, which became a global powerhouse in the early to mid-20th century. However, the arrival and rapid spread of the highly destructive fungal disease "witches' broom" (Moniliophthora perniciosa) in the late 1980s decimated plantations, leading to a precipitous drop in production and transforming Brazil into a net importer of cocoa.

This crisis had profound economic and social consequences for the cocoa-growing regions, particularly in Bahia. However, the experience also spurred research and innovation, leading to the development of disease-resistant varieties and more sustainable farming practices.

Current Status and Regional Diversity

Today, Brazil is on a path to recovery. While Bahia remains a significant producer, the state of Pará in the Amazon region has emerged as the leading cocoa-producing state, contributing over half of the national output. This shift highlights the strategic importance of the Amazon and the diverse agro-ecological zones suitable for cocoa cultivation across Brazil.

Brazil's cocoa sector is characterized by:

• Diverse Varieties: The country cultivates a range of cocoa varieties, including Forastero (the dominant bulk cocoa type), and increasingly, fine flavor varieties of Trinitario and even some rare Criollos.
• Growing Domestic Processing: Unlike many other major producers that primarily export raw beans, Brazil has a robust domestic cocoa processing industry with substantial grinding capacity. This allows the country to add value to its cocoa before export, primarily in the form of cocoa liquor, butter, and powder. In fact, Brazil often imports cocoa beans to meet the demand of its processing industries, indicating a strong domestic market for cocoa products.
• Focus on Quality and Fine Flavor: There's a growing emphasis on producing high-quality and fine flavor cocoa, especially in regions like Southern Bahia and Espírito Santo, which have earned Geographical Indication (GI) labels. These premium beans fetch higher prices and cater to the booming artisanal chocolate market.

Challenges and the Path to Growth

Despite the optimistic outlook, Brazil's cocoa sector still faces hurdles:

• Legacy of Witches' Broom: While resistant varieties exist, continuous management is required to keep the disease at bay.
• Low Average Productivity: The national average cocoa yield per hectare is still relatively low compared to its potential. Efforts are focused on improving this through better agricultural practices.
• Access to Credit and Technical Assistance: Smallholder farmers, who constitute the majority of producers, often lack sufficient access to finance for investments and consistent technical guidance.
• Climate Variability: Like other agricultural sectors, cocoa is vulnerable to extreme weather events and changing climate patterns.
• Illegal Mining: In some regions, illegal mining activities can impact cocoa farms, leading to land degradation and deforestation.

To overcome these challenges and achieve its ambitious goals, Brazil is implementing several strategic initiatives:

• Expansion of Planting Areas: New areas, including those previously used for degraded pastures, are being converted to cocoa farms, particularly in the North and Northeast regions.
• Technological Advancements: Investment in research and development of high-yielding, disease-resistant clones adapted to diverse Brazilian conditions is crucial.
• Agroforestry Systems: The traditional "cabruca" system in Bahia, where cocoa is grown under the shade of native forest trees, is being promoted and expanded. This agroforestry approach enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and provides climate resilience.
• Government Support: Initiatives like the INOVA CACAU plan and efforts to improve access to rural credit are designed to support farmers and boost production.
• "Cacau 2030 Project" / CocoaAction Brasil: This multi-stakeholder initiative, involving government, private sector, and NGOs, focuses on increasing productivity, improving cocoa quality, strengthening farmer organizations, promoting decent labor, and combating deforestation.

Table: Brazil Cocoa Bean Production (Selected Years)

Year	Total Bean Production (Thousand Metric Tons)	Notes
1986	458.75	All-time high production before the "witches' broom" crisis
2018	235.18
2019	283.68
2020	270.00
2021	255.00	Ranked 7th globally in some reports
2022	301.03
2023	296.15
2024 (Est.)	179.00	Reported decline, potentially due to weather and disease impacts
2025 (Proj.)	300.00	Expected recovery and growth
2030 (Goal)	400.00+	Brazil's national target, aiming for significant growth

Note: Production figures can vary slightly depending on the reporting agency (e.g., IBGE for calendar year, or international organizations like ICCO and USDA for market years) and their methodologies. The significant drop reported for 2024 highlights ongoing challenges.

Brazil's ambition to become a major cocoa player once again is supported by its vast land potential, existing processing infrastructure, and a renewed commitment to sustainable and high-quality production. As global demand for cocoa remains high, Brazil's strategic re-entry into the top ranks of producers would bring important diversification to the world's cocoa supply.

Global Cocoa Production: A Landscape of Interconnected

The global cocoa industry, spanning the humid tropics, is a dynamic and complex web of interconnected challenges and opportunities. From the dominant West African producers like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, to the resurgent South American powerhouses of Ecuador and Brazil, and the struggling yet vital Southeast Asian producer Indonesia, each nation plays a unique role, contributing to a global market driven by consumer demand for chocolate. However, beneath the sweet allure of cocoa lies a sobering reality of persistent issues that threaten the long-term sustainability of this vital commodity.

The Dominant Duo and Their Hurdles: Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana collectively produce over 60% of the world's cocoa. Their sheer volume dictates global supply and prices, yet both nations grapple with endemic farmer poverty, rampant deforestation, widespread cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD), and the persistent shadow of child labor. The reliance on aging trees and traditional, less productive farming methods further exacerbates these issues, making their production vulnerable to climate shocks and market volatility. Initiatives like the Living Income Differential (LID) are crucial steps towards fairer farmer remuneration, but their effectiveness depends on sustained commitment from all stakeholders.

The Quest for Quality and Resilience: Ecuador stands out as a beacon of quality, dominating the fine flavor cocoa market. Its specialization in "Arriba" cocoa commands premium prices, offering a more stable income stream for its farmers. However, even Ecuador faces challenges with cadmium levels in beans and the constant threat of diseases like frosty pod rot. Brazil, a historical giant brought low by the "witches' broom" disease, is making a remarkable comeback. Its focus on agroforestry systems (cabruca) and increasing domestic processing capacity offers a model for sustainable growth and value addition, while still battling the residual impact of past epidemics and aiming for significantly higher yields.

Struggles and Potential in Asia: Indonesia, once a rapidly expanding producer, has seen its output decline. Aging trees, the pervasive cocoa pod borer, and limited investment in modern farming techniques have hampered its growth. The challenge here lies in revitalizing smallholder farms, improving bean quality through proper fermentation, and protecting cocoa lands from conversion to other, more lucrative crops.

Common Threads and the Way Forward: Across these diverse regions, several common themes emerge:

• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and increased temperatures are universal threats, leading to reduced yields and increased disease susceptibility. Climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry are no longer options but necessities.
• Farmer Livelihoods: The stark reality is that many cocoa farmers globally live below the poverty line. Addressing low incomes through fairer pricing, increased productivity, and diversification is paramount to incentivizing sustainable practices and retaining younger generations in the sector.
• Diseases and Pests: Persistent threats like CSSVD, witches' broom, black pod, and the cocoa pod borer continuously plague farmers, demanding ongoing research, disease-resistant varieties, and effective pest management.
• Deforestation and Environmental Degradation: The expansion of cocoa has historically come at a significant environmental cost. Zero-deforestation commitments, land tenure security, and restoration efforts are critical for ecological balance and long-term viability.
• Value Addition: The push for increased local processing in producing countries is a shared goal. By transforming raw beans into liquor, butter, and powder, these nations can capture a larger share of the global cocoa value chain, boosting their economies and creating local employment.

In conclusion, the global cocoa industry is at a critical juncture. While demand for chocolate continues to rise, the supply side is increasingly fragile. The future of cocoa production hinges on a concerted global effort involving governments, industry players, non-governmental organizations, and farmers themselves. By prioritizing farmer welfare, implementing sustainable environmental practices, investing in research and development, and fostering greater value addition, the world can ensure that cocoa remains a source of prosperity for millions and a beloved treat for billions, far into the future.