Cocoa Industry

The cocoa industry involves growing, harvesting, processing, and trading cocoa beans, which are the primary ingredient in chocolate. It begins with farmers cultivating cocoa trees mainly in West Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. After harvesting, beans are fermented and dried before being shipped to processing facilities, where they are roasted, ground, and transformed into cocoa mass, butter, and powder. These components are then used by chocolate manufacturers to produce a wide range of products. The industry faces challenges like fluctuating prices, climate impacts, and ethical concerns, including fair wages and sustainable farming practices.