Aligning genetic resources, production and post-harvest systems to market opportunities for Pacific Island and Australian cocoa

The project focuses on strengthening cocoa value chains in Pacific Islands (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu) and Australia.

Cocoa exports provide livelihoods for between a fifth and a third of the populations of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Significant domestic or potential export industries also exist in Fiji and Samoa. An estimated 310,000 people are estimated to be involved in cocoa production in the Pacific.

Pacific countries are well-placed to compete successfully in high-value, low-volume markets, based on Pacific cocoa flavour, unusual genetic resources and ‘single-origin’ branding. The adoption of a ‘whole of chain’ approach to the cocoa export industry will lead to increased agronomic productivity and development of best practices to in fermentation and drying to optimise cocoa quality.