Cocoa is the key ingredient for the manufacturing of chocolate and chocolate confections, such as candy bars, boxed or bulk chocolates, many types of cookies and cakes. The chocolate manufacturing industry is one of the biggest, especially in the European continent. Cocoa being a versatile product, is used in various industries, for the production of cosmetic products, oils, alcohol and drinks, and even fuel and Biomass.

Cocoa is a highly demanded product. The world’s average chocolate consumption amounts to an estimated 0.9 kilogrammes per capita per year.

The preferred classification of cocoa distinguishes three broad types of cocoa: Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario. Of the three, Forastero remains to comprise 80–90% of the world production of cocoa.

Cocoa Beans products, and uses in different industries

Processed cocoa beans are transformed into several components, used for manufacture sub-products:

Additionally, products used in different industries can also derive from cocoa pod husks and pulps, surrounding the beans and shells:

• Animal feed from cocoa husk – Produced from dry 100% cocoa pod husk that sliced into small flakes, minced and dried into pellets.

• Potash from cocoa pod husk – Potash is made when dried husks are incinerated in an aching kiln. The ash is used to make soap and fertilizer for cocoa, vegetables, and food crops

• Production of soft drinks and alcohol – Soft-drinks are produced with collected, sterilized and bottled fresh cocoa pulp juice (sweating); and for alcoholic drinks, such as brandy, the juice is fermented, and distilled on a latter step (source).

• Jam and marmalade – Pectin, essential for jams and marmalade, is extracted from the writings. They go through a process of precipitation with alcohol, distillation and recycling of the alcohol (source).

• Mulch – Cocoa bean shells are used as organic mulch and soil conditioner for the garden. The shells can also be used to produce renewable energy (using biomass).

Health benefits of Cocoa

Cocoa has many positive effects on the body. Regular consumption of cocoa improves a person’s general mood, as it helps to release serotonin and dopamine, hormones of happiness. As a result, cocoa helps fight symptoms linked to depression, thus leading to a better quality of life.

Some components in cocoa can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and reduce the risk of cancer.

There are also suggestions that cocoa and chocolate contribute to reducing inflammation, improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol and blood sugar level.

It that was not good enough, Cocoa Beans are the most concentrated source of theobromine, extensively reviewed with relation to cognition and mental performance. Theobromine has a mild stimulatory effect on the central nervous system.

Big Business Market

Europe is the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer and exporter market. The European chocolate market was valued at €53 billion in 2019 and expected to grow at an average annual rate of around 5% between 2020 and 2024. Europe houses many chocolate manufacturers of all sizes, which work with different cocoa qualities (source).

Within the EU, The Netherlands takes the crown for being the largest importer and grinder of cocoa beans in the world. In 2019, the Netherlands’ total imports amounted to 1,081 thousand tonnes of cocoa beans, at a value of €2.2 billion (source).

Other great potential markets for cocoa beans exporters in Europe are: Germany, with imports amounted to 469 thousand tonnes at a value of €1.1 billion; Belgium with imports amounted to 281 thousand tonnes, reaching a value of €643 million; and France, Spain, Italy, that accounted for around 5% of direct European imports from producing countries in 2019 (source).

The European cocoa market is vast and diverse, offering opportunities for suppliers of different sizes and profiles.

Export/import from Nigeria

In response to the demand, African countries, in special Nigeria, have stepped up in the global supply of high-quality cocoa beans, exporting 225 thousand tonnes in 2019 to the Netherlands and to other countries in Europe.

You can read our blog, NIGERIAN PRODUCTS: Growth and Improvements in Agriculture and Logistics, to check the advantages of sourcing your products from such a rich country.

There are plenty of opportunities for the commercialization of cocoa beans, as the industry has a stable demand and is expected to grow in future years. TOSK Global is here to help you seize the opportunity and help you all the way.

Contact us and we will provide you with specifications of our cocoa beans.

We have cultivated personal relationships with international and domestic growers, ensuring efficiency, reliability and consistent supplies.

We monitor our supply chain, from tree to the final product, keeping in mind our customer requirements.