Marketing and organic certification of organic cocoa

Sustainable production of cocoa has become an increasingly important driver for the development of the cocoa sector in Africa. Driven by consumer demand, new initiatives have emerged, including commitments by cocoa importers and chocolate manufacturers to purchase sustainably certified cocoa and to provide services to producers. Because of these developments there is a growing market for sustainably produced and certified organic cocoa in Europe and the US. This trend provides an opportunity for cocoa producers to improve their livelihoods, and for the cocoa sector to make its sustainability efforts more visible. To realize this opportunity, producers need support to access these emerging markets.

There are different sustainability initiatives to certify cocoa, which include organic production, and others like ‘Rain Forest Alliance’, ’Fairtrade’ and UTZ Certified which are mainly social standards, but also require ‘good practices in cocoa production’.

Organic certification of cocoa should only be done as a market requirement. Generally organic production of cocoa will have the following requirements:

Implementation of organic approaches to soil fertility, pest and disease management. Organic production does not allow the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers as well as other unnatural postharvest treatments for cocoa beans, packaging materials and stores.
Proper separation of organic cocoa and conventional cocoa during production and postharvest handling
Implementing a good traceability system, based on clear labelling and record keeping in order to minimise contamination.
In order to reduce organic certification cost for the individual farmer, smallholder farmers should look for group certification.

Specific national or international organic standards may define additional requirements. Therefore, interested cocoa farmers should consult the national organic movement or organic certification body operating within the region or country for further guidance.

Discussion on marketing and organic certification of cocoa

Analyse the cocoa marketing situation in the area by asking the following questions:

Where do you commonly sell your cocoa products?
Are those markets interested in organic cocoa?
Is there a common understanding among cocoa farmers in the area, which would allow collaboration for certification and marketing?
Are there opportunities to obtain support during conversion to organic, either from the existing customers or any other support organisation?

Propose ways to access the necessary market information.