
Cocoa is the main component for the production of chocolates and it also plays significant roles in shaping a nation’s economy.
Africa is the primary producer of cocoa worldwide and it accounts for about 60% of total production.
Cocoa beans are produced in tropical areas close to the equator, where the climate, soil composition, and weather are perfect for growing cocoa trees.
These factors play a crucial role in determining the success and yield of cocoa crops, highlighting the significance of Africa as the primary hub for cocoa cultivation on a global scale.
Approximately 70% of the cocoa beans produced worldwide come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This may be due to the countries’ temperate climates.
Cocoa production also contributes significantly to the economies of these countries and supports the livelihoods of many farmers and workers involved in the cocoa value chain.
Different African nations stand out as major contributors to global cocoa production, playing a crucial role in meeting the world’s demand for this essential commodity.
In this article, African Gazette archives top 10 cocoa producing countries in Africa in 2024 and their contributions to the growth of the cocoa industry globally.
Summary of top 10 Cocoa producing countries in Africa
- Ivory Coast
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Uganda
- Togo
- Sierra Leone
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Liberia
- Madagascar
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
Ivory Coast is the largest cocoa producer in Africa and the world, it accounts for a significant portion of global cocoa production.
The cocoa industry is hugely important to the economy of the country as it accounts for 40.2% of its export income and employs approximately 600,000 farmers,6 million people also rely on the industry to survive.
There have been challenges in Ivory Coast’s growing cocoa industry, including widespread deforestation and child labor.
Fortunately, they have made a deal with “their fellow cocoa heavyweight,” Ghana, to stop child labor, stop further deforestation for the cocoa industry, and to better serve the interests of farmers.
Ghana
Ghana is the second major cocoa producing country in Africa and it is known for its high-quality cocoa beans.
Being the main cash crop of Ghana, it boast an annual production of approximately 1,100,000 tonnes annually and covers about 1.9 million hectares of land, providing employment opportunities for over 800,000 people.
Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country is also a significant cocoa producer in Africa, with a long history of cocoa cultivation.
It serves as the largest export crop, taking over 800,000 hectares of land and giving employment to over 300,000 farmers.
60% of the nation’s cocoa production comes from the main growing regions, which are Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Ekiti.
Cameroon
Cameroon is known for producing fine-flavor cocoa beans and is an important player in the African cocoa industry.
It is the fourth largest cocoa producing country in Africa with an annual production of approximately 290,000 tonnes.
The industry is crucial to the nation because it employs over 600,000 people and is the second-largest source of foreign exchange.
Uganda
Uganda has been expanding its cocoa production in recent years and is emerging as a key player in the African cocoa sector.
Cocoa serves as Uganda’s fourth-biggest export crop after coffee, tea and fish, its production in Uganda has seen a steady increase over the last few years.
Uganda is Africa’s fifth-largest producer of cocoa, with an annual production of about 35,000 metric tons.
Togo
Togo is a smaller cocoa-producing country in Africa but still contributes to the continent’s overall cocoa production.
Its production is concentrated in the hilly area in the southwest of the country, close to the political border with Ghana.
The country produces 20,000 to 22,000 metric tons of cocoa annually and this contributes immensely to the nation’s economy.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has a growing cocoa industry and is becoming increasingly important in the African cocoa market.
It is a small cocoa producing country, with an annual production of approximately 11,500 metric tons of cocoa beans.
These cocoa beans are exported to other countries in large quantities.
Sao Tome and Principe
This small island nation off the coast of Central Africa is known for its high-quality cocoa beans.
They are well known to be producers of fine quality cocoa in metric tons which are often exported to other countries.
Despite this rich natural resource, the country still faces natural disasters such as drought, flood, depleted soils and lack of investment in the cocoa industry by the government.
Liberia
Liberia is a small cocoa producing country, with an annual production of approximately 14,000 metric tons of cocoa beans.
Production of cocoa is the primary source of income and food security for a large number of Liberian smallholder farmers.
Even though cocoa is essential, there are not many incentives or chances for growers to profit from cultivating and selling cocoa beans.
The industry’s growth is hampered by a significant skill gap in production and a lack of steady market access.
Madagascar
Madagascar is also a growing cocoa producer in Africa, known for its unique flavor profiles and sustainable farming practices.
Nowadays, cocoa from Madagascar is regarded as some of the best available worldwide.
With an annual production of about 12,500 metric tons of cocoa beans, the nation ranks tenth in Africa and contributes only about 0.5% of the world’s total cocoa production.
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