Smallholder farmers awarded for cocoa diversity

Last weekend saw the annual homage to all things chocolate at the mouthwatering International Cocoa Awards  [2].  Alongside the fashion shows  [3] featuring chocolate dresses and displays of luxury chocolate products, smallholder cocoa farmers received recognition for the diversity of flavours they bring to the table.

Cocoa, often nicknamed “black gold”, is mainly cultivated in West Africa, Latin America and Asia, and is a vital source of income for a total of 5-6 million smallholder farmers worldwide.

Cocoa is produced in 45 countries with only 8 countries are responsible for 90% of the world’s production, estimated to be 4 million tonnes a year and worth more than 5 billion dollars.  In fact, after sugar and coffee, cocoa occupies third place in the global market of raw food materials.

Cocoa of Excellence  [4] is the first point for entries to the International competition. This year the awards attracted 119 samples from 22 countries, out of which 50 were selected by an expert panel for the awards to be processed into chocolate for a final taste test. 

Bioversity International is one of lead organizations behind Cocoa of Excellence, which aims to link cocoa growers with chocolate makers and in the process give recognition to the contribution smallholder farmers make through the diversity of beans cultivated, the skill of the farmers, and the differences in taste produced from different growing conditions.

The 2011 Salon du Chocolat    [5]awards for cocoa excellence were given to farmers from Malaysia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Cameroon.