CACAO niche

Title

Commercialization of cacao of the Atlantic Coast

Description

The Atlantic coast of Honduras has a great potential for growing cocoa, due to favorable agro-climate conditions. Currently, of the 1,500 tons produced in the country, only 10% is exported as high quality cocoa. There is reluctance of cocoa producers on improving the quality of the production, and consequently the marketing opportunities. Most cocoa farmers have an average crop area of less than 2 ha.,  limited financial resources, a basic knowledge of the culture, and little trading experience. This has affected the efficiency of the production. Brokers offer low prices for the current quality of cocoa. Lower quality cocoa is sold to Guatemala and El Salvador at a very low price. One of the main reasons for low quality cocoa is the poor quality of post-harvest processing (producers selling to intermediaries do not process their cocoa).

For this reason the niche intends to increase the production of processed cocoa for export through:

1. Promotion of the association of independent producers
2. Strengthening the organization, management and entrepreneurial vision of producer associations and cooperatives in order to improve access to technical and financial services; infrastructure such as storage facilities and standardization of quality cocoa.
3. Improving trade links with markets;
4. Institutional Articulation with other stakeholders of the cocoa value chain;
5. Strengthening the capacity of investment and links with the financial sector (banks, cooperatives and rural banks);
6. Concentration of the project resources in areas of high agricultural potential for cultivation.

Aim

Strengthening management and entrepreneurial vision, improving access to technical and financial services, storage facilities and other infrastructure, and the standardization of quality cocoa.

Location

Atlantida

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