Supply chain management for total quality cocoa: pilot phase

DURATION:
 Eight years
LOCATION:
 COTE D’IVOIRE
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Supply chain and quality improvement.
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
CO-FINANCING:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 ICCO Task Force on Quality
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 November 2001
COMPLETION DATE:
 April 2009

 

Brief Description

The project started in November 2001 with the development and implementation of a model of a cocoa supply chain system which would meet the quality criteria of CAOBISCO (Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of the European Union). The system began at the co-operative level where the cocoa was collected from the farmers in villages designated as “project villages”. The cocoa collected from each farmer was kept separate from other cocoas and moved to the warehouse of the cooperative where it was checked for physical quality against the standards of the project.  If the quality criteria were met, the cocoa would be placed into export bags, sealed and labelled.  The cocoa would then be transported to the port, once again checked for quality, then shipped.  This system would ensure not only full traceability to the farmer at the village level, but also full integrity of the cocoa between co-operative and shipment, through to the overseas manufacturer. To encourage farmers and co-operatives to engage in the proposed system and in recognition of the extra effort to produce project quality cocoa, chocolate manufacturers paid a Project Participation Incentive (P.P.I) to the traders for distribution among farmers and co-operatives.

 
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project was to produce and export cocoa that meets the total quality criteria of the cocoa industry as well as to improve the efficiency of the marketing chain in Côte d’Ivoire.

 
Project Results

During the pilot operations between 2003 and 2009, the project exported a total of 16,526 tonnes of cocoa that met the essential project cocoa requirements of physical quality standards and traceability. About 15,000 farmers and staff of participating cooperatives received training on best post-harvest practices. Training manuals and quality control equipment worth US$150,000 were provided to the participating cooperatives by the project. An estimated US$ 1 million in Project Participation Incentive (PPI) has been paid to the participating cooperatives and to a Social Fund for community development.
The system developed and tested, proved that it was commercially viable to produce cocoa which meets the physical quality standards of CAOBISCO, which is fully traceable and of which the integrity is maintained between cooperative and the point of export. Logistical problems, the socio-political situation in Côte d’Ivoire, availability of appropriate sacks, implementation of timely training etc., were some of the major constraints identified which made it difficult to achieve the required volumes of project cocoa during the pilot operations.

Click here to download the Project Report

 

Supply chain management for total quality cocoa: pilot phase

Duration:
 Eight years
Location:
 COTE D’IVOIRE
Nature of Project:
 Supply chain and quality improvement.
Estimated total Cost:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
Co-financing:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
Counterpart Financing:
 (Amount withheld at donor’s request)
Project Executing Agency (PEA):
 ICCO Task Force on Quality
Project Supervisory Body:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
Project Starting Date:
 November 2001
Completion Date:
 April 2009

 

Brief Description

The project started in November 2001 with the development and implementation of a model of a cocoa supply chain system which would meet the quality criteria of CAOBISCO (Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of the European Union). The system began at the co-operative level where the cocoa was collected from the farmers in villages designated as “project villages”. The cocoa collected from each farmer was kept separate from other cocoas and moved to the warehouse of the cooperative where it was checked for physical quality against the standards of the project.  If the quality criteria were met, the cocoa would be placed into export bags, sealed and labelled.  The cocoa would then be transported to the port, once again checked for quality, then shipped.  This system would ensure not only full traceability to the farmer at the village level, but also full integrity of the cocoa between co-operative and shipment, through to the overseas manufacturer. To encourage farmers and co-operatives to engage in the proposed system and in recognition of the extra effort to produce project quality cocoa, chocolate manufacturers paid a Project Participation Incentive (P.P.I) to the traders for distribution among farmers and co-operatives.

 
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project was to produce and export cocoa that meets the total quality criteria of the cocoa industry as well as to improve the efficiency of the marketing chain in Côte d’Ivoire.

 
Project Results

During the pilot operations between 2003 and 2009, the project exported a total of 16,526 tonnes of cocoa that met the essential project cocoa requirements of physical quality standards and traceability. About 15,000 farmers and staff of participating cooperatives received training on best post-harvest practices. Training manuals and quality control equipment worth US$150,000 were provided to the participating cooperatives by the project. An estimated US$ 1 million in Project Participation Incentive (PPI) has been paid to the participating cooperatives and to a Social Fund for community development.
The system developed and tested, proved that it was commercially viable to produce cocoa which meets the physical quality standards of CAOBISCO, which is fully traceable and of which the integrity is maintained between cooperative and the point of export. Logistical problems, the socio-political situation in Côte d’Ivoire, availability of appropriate sacks, implementation of timely training etc., were some of the major constraints identified which made it difficult to achieve the required volumes of project cocoa during the pilot operations.

Click here to download the Project Report

Feasibility study on the generic promotion of cocoa consumption in the Russian Federation

DURATION:
 One year
LOCATION:
 RUSSIAN FEDERATION
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Consumption promotion
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 30,000
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 30,000
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO/ITC
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 May 2001
COMPLETION DATE:
 June 2002

 

Brief Description

The feasibility study was conducted to establish whether and under what conditions a full-scale generic promotion campaign should be launched in the Russian Federation. The feasibility study involved consumer surveys, discussions and interviews with manufacturers, a survey of top managers of confectionery enterprise, sessions with focus groups, studies and analyses.

 
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project was to provide a basis for determining the feasibility, the strategy and the instruments for undertaking a generic-promotion campaign for cocoa and chocolate in the Russian Federation.

 
Project Results

The feasibility study concluded that there existed a sound basis for launching a full-scale generic promotion campaign in the Russian Federation. More than 70 per cent of the top managers in the confectionery industry were in favour of such a campaign and were prepared to support it.

Click here to download the Feasibility study in English

Click here to download the Feasibility study in Russian

The use of molecular biology techniques in a search for varieties resistant to Witches’ Broom disease of cocoa

DURATION:
 Five and a half years after six month extension.
LOCATION:
 BRAZIL,
ECUADOR,
PERU
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Sustainable cocoa production
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 3,191,824
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 816,197
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 800,000
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 1,575,527
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Comissao Executiva do Plano Lavoura Cacaueira (CEPLAC), Brazil
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 April 2000
COMPLETION DATE:
 September 2005

 

Brief Description

The main activities of the project were construction of a genetic linkage map; identification and characterization of molecular markers associated with resistance to witches’ broom disease; identification of quality trait loci (QTL) related to agronomic traits; use of recurrent selection to obtain improved populations; backcrossing in cocoa; and germplasm evaluation.

 
Project Objectives

The main aim of the project was to apply molecular biology techniques in cocoa Germplasm evaluation, in particular using molecular markers at DNA level, to improve knowledge on the relationships among genotypes including studies on heterozygosity, pedigree, characterization of genes controlling the inheritance of economic traits and identification of genes controlling disease resistance. This process would lead to accelerated development and release of new cocoa planting materials which would be more uniform, more productive and more tolerant to diseases, particularly to witches’ broom

 
Project Results

A highly saturated map was developed for variety Sca-6 x ICS and saturated maps were constructed for varieties CAB x ICS-39 and CAB-214 x ICS-39. Molecular markers related to gene resistant to witches’ broom were identified. QTLs with important agronomic traits were identified. About 1300 cocoa trees from recurrent selection were produced and transferred to the field. Backcrossings in cocoa were conducted to advance backcross generations based on molecular and phenotypic data. Through germplasm evaluation, molecular data from 800 clones were collected using different types of markers, and the genetic diversity of the clones was assessed.

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

Study of the chemical, physical and organoleptic parameters to establish the difference between fine and bulk cocoa

DURATION:
 5 and a half years after 18 monts extension
LOCATION:
 ECUADOR,
PAPUA NEW GUINEA,
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
VENEZUELA
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Research and Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 1,666,570
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 839,223
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 205,837
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 617,510
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 January 2001
COMPLETION DATE:
 March 2006

 

Brief Description

The main activities carried out during project implementation were fermentation and drying trials; chemical assessment of quality parameters; preparation and chemical analysis of cocoa liquor; organoleptic assessment of sensory characteristics; and DNA profiling and spectral image analysis.
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project was to provide universally acceptable criteria to differentiate between fine/flavour and bulk cocoa, thereby improving the marketing of fine or flavour cocoa. The specific objectives of the project were to establish and disseminate physical, chemical and organoleptic parameters for the evaluation of cocoa quality in relation to genotype and environment.

 
Project Results

The fermentation and drying trials showed that all parameters measured (temperature, pH, shell percentage, bean index and colour), with the exception of colour of the white Criollo from Venezuela, were useful in determining the good quality of cocoa. However, these parameters could not differentiate fine or flavour from Bulk cocoa.
The results of the chemical assessment of quality parameters and analysis of cocoa liquor indicated that theobromine/caffeine ratio had the potential to differentiate between fine and bulk cocoa. The fructose/glucose ratio showed some promising potential to also differentiate between fine and bulk cocoa. Results also showed that pyrazines and other volatile compounds could be used to differentiate different fine cocoa origins.
Organoleptic assessment of sensory characteristics confirmed that in general, cocoas from different origins have distinct flavour profiles, thus eliminating market competition among them. The results of organoleptic analysis also showed the influence of the environment on the flavour profiles of the same genotype in different countries.
The results of the DNA and spectral image analysis indicated that molecular markers could be used to distinguish different cocoa genotypes. In particular, it was possible to determine if a certain batch of cocoa contains mixture of different types of cocoa.

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

Improvement of cocoa marketing and trade in liberalizing cocoa producing countries.

DURATION:
 Seven years including a two year extension.
LOCATION:
 CAMEROON,
COTE D’IVOIRE,
NIGERIA
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Marketing and Trade
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 6,509,171
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 3,573,266
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 1,056,195
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 1,879,710
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Senegal
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 October 1999
COMPLETION DATE:
 September 2005

 

Brief Description

The main activities carried out under the project were promotion of privately-run warehousing systems; development of a cocoa marketing information system (MIS); development of a quality assurance and certification system; and development of a system of commodity trade finances.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to improve the functioning of the supply chain in cocoa-producing countries engaged in the process of liberalization of their cocoa sectors, and to ensure full participation of local operators in the physical trading of cocoa, while reducing trade and price risks.

 
Project Resutls

The project established and improved market information systems, warehousing up-country, quality assurance and quality enhancement, and a system of structured trade financing as indispensable components of a viable, efficient and transparent cocoa trade and marketing chain.

 

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

Cocoa germplasm utilization and conservation: a global approach

DURATION:
 Six years after one year extension
LOCATION:
 BRAZIL,
CAMEROON,
COTE D’IVOIRE,
ECUADOR,
GHANA,
MALAYSIA,
NIGERIA,
PAPUA NEW GUINEA,
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
VENEZUELA
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Research and Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 9,985,940
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 2,942,000
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 1,940,480
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 5,104,231
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Bioversity International
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 April 1998
COMPLETION DATE:
 March 2004

 

Brief Description

The main activities of the project were international and local clone trials; internationally co-ordinated hybrid selection trials; population breeding; germplasm enhancement; germplasm conservation, characterization and preliminary evaluation; distribution and quarantine of interesting genotypes; and  exchange of information and workshops.

 
Project Objectives

The project aimed to develop and distribute improved, pest and disease resistant varieties of cocoa planting materials by making optimal use of cocoa germplasm, which produces good quality cocoa and achieves higher and sustainable production levels. This was achieved through screening, selecting and breeding of improved cocoa genotype with economically important traits (yields, resistance to pests and diseases, quality, etc.,), collected from among the great diversity of the germplasm existing in the cocoa producing countries participating in the project.

 
Project Results

A total of 94 ha of international and local trials of new cocoa varieties were established at the different project sites, compared to 55 ha originally planned. Evaluation of the positive characteristics carried out on cocoa genotypes in the collections and breeding trials resulted in the identification of 2,345 promising new selections that would be used in the future. International clone trials, established at ten sites in nine countries, permitted the evaluation of the stability of economically important traits of 20 selected cocoa accessions distributed from intermediate quarantine centres.  Resistance to the three major species of Phytophthora proved to be generally stable and good resistance was identified for nine genotypes.
Local clone trials and observation plots were established in all participating countries.  The most promising local clones were already being used for further breeding and/or for testing in farmers’ plots. Results on early vigour, yield and disease resistance have already been obtained in most countries. These trials have great potential for accelerated selection of new “hybrid clones” within the next few years.
Germplasm enhancement for resistance to Phytophthora pod rot was successfully carried out in Trinidad and Tobago, using the genetic diversity present in the International Cocoa Genebank at Trinidad (ICG,T).  Eleven per cent was classified as ‘resistant’ according to the detached pod test.  The genetic gain of ten per cent would result in a population with better average resistance than that of the resistant control clone.  Using this technique, a total of 856 selected seedlings were established in the field.
The Cocoa Germplasm Conservation, Characterization and Evaluation carried out at the ICG,T enabled the establishment of the so-called ‘CFC/ICCO/IPGRI Project Collection’, which is an international working collection containing 110 accessions possessing valuable agronomic traits and wide genetic diversity.  Distribution of this collection to project partners and other user-countries had been initiated through the intermediate quarantine facility at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.

 

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

Pilot Plants to Process Cocoa by-products in Ghana.

 

DURATION:
 Ten years
LOCATION:
 Ghana
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Research and development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 1,060,000
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
  US$ 595,413
CO-FINANCING:
  –
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
  US$ 464,587
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
  CABI International
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  September 1993
COMPLETION DATE:
  July 2003

 

 

Brief Description

The project investigated and developed three industries based on processing of three categories of cocoa wastes and by-products. These were: 1) Cocoa pod husk-based industry for production of animal feed; 2) Cocoa pulp juice or cocoa sweatings-based industry for production of alcohol, pectin, jelly, marmalade, jam, wine, vinegar and soft drink; 3) Discarded cocoa-based industry for production of cocoa butter toilet soap, and cocoa butter pomade . The financial and economic viability of the these were analysed.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to develop and transfer appropriate technologies for the commercial processing of cocoa by-products and cocoa wastes to improve the income-generating capacity of the cocoa industry in cocoa-producing countries.

 
Project Results

The project established pilot scale plants for the processing of cocoa wastes and by-products into useful projects.

The cocoa pod husk plant collects and processes fresh cocoa pod husk into animal feed and soft soap using potash. Full annual production capacity was about 5,500 tonnes of pelletized animal feed and 100,000 tablets of soft soap of 500 grams unit weight.

The cocoa sweatings plant collects and processes cocoa sweatings into gin via distillation of alcohol, and jelly with the use of pectin. Full annual production capacity was about 21,000 litres of alcohol processed into about 56,000 bottles of cocoa gin of 750ml, and over 200,000 jars of jelly of 450g.

The discarded cocoa beans plant extracted cocoa butter from cocoa beans discards and process them into cocoa butter soap and pomade. Full annual production capacity was about 300 tonnes of cocoa butter soap and about 30 tonnes of pomade.

The results of the economic analysis of the enterprises indicated a negative Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for the cocoa pod husk based enterprise and positive IRRs for the cocoa sweatings based enterprise and for the discarded cocoa beans based enterprise. The negative IRR for the cocoa pod husk based industry demonstrated that it was very unlikely that this type of enterprise could be made profitable.

 

Click here to download the Project Report

Promotion of Cocoa Consumption in Japan

DURATION:
  Four years
LOCATION:
 JAPAN
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Consumption Promotion
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 £ 353,000
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 £ 203,600
CO-FINANCING:
  –
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 £ 150,000
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Chocolate and Cocoa Association of Japan (CCAJ)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  September 1993
COMPLETION DATE:
  November 1997

 

 

Brief Description

The project was designed to counteract the negative image of cocoa in Japan and to promote instead a positive image by increasing the awareness of the positive nutritional and health aspects of cocoa. The negative image was that cocoa, linked to its sugar content, was fattening and unhealthy. The strategy for the promotion was to spread consumption to older age-groups, and to create new intellectual product values by turning the negative health and nutrition image of chocolate into a positive one.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to expand the market for cocoa and chocolate in Japan through a generic promotion campaign. The immediate goal of the project was to increase annual consumption of cocoa products in Japan by 20,000 tonnes in bean equivalent, over a four-year period.

 
Project Results

Major promotion activities carried out by the project were: production of The “Chocolate Story” pamphlet; production and distribution of a video film, entitled “Chocolate, the Food of the Gods”; participation in the Kanazawa and Iwate Confectionery Exhibitions in 1994 and 1998; production of four issues of a Newsletter targeted at the members of the Japan Nutritionists’ Society; organization of chocolate weeks; and organization of the International Symposia on Chocolate and Cocoa Nutrition.

The perception of the Japanese public vis-à-vis cocoa as a drink changed dramatically as a result of the project, especially among housewives. Regarding chocolate, the general mood has changed for the better as people now begin to feel assured that it is good to eat chocolate.

Click here to download the Final Evaluation Report

 

Generic Promotion of Cocoa Consumption in Japan

DURATION:
  Four years
LOCATION:
 JAPAN
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Consumption Promotion
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 £ 353,000
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 £ 203,600
CO-FINANCING:
  –
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 £ 150,000
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Chocolate and Cocoa Association of Japan (CCAJ)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  September 1993
COMPLETION DATE:
  November 1997

 

 

Brief Description

The project was designed to counteract the negative image of cocoa in Japan and to promote instead a positive image by increasing the awareness of the positive nutritional and health aspects of cocoa. The negative image was that cocoa, linked to its sugar content, was fattening and unhealthy. The strategy for the promotion was to spread consumption to older age-groups, and to create new intellectual product values by turning the negative health and nutrition image of chocolate into a positive one.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to expand the market for cocoa and chocolate in Japan through a generic promotion campaign. The immediate goal of the project was to increase annual consumption of cocoa products in Japan by 20,000 tonnes in bean equivalent, over a four-year period.

 
Project Results

Major promotion activities carried out by the project were: production of The “Chocolate Story” pamphlet; production and distribution of a video film, entitled “Chocolate, the Food of the Gods”; participation in the Kanazawa and Iwate Confectionery Exhibitions in 1994 and 1998; production of four issues of a Newsletter targeted at the members of the Japan Nutritionists’ Society; organization of chocolate weeks; and organization of the International Symposia on Chocolate and Cocoa Nutrition.

The perception of the Japanese public vis-à-vis cocoa as a drink changed dramatically as a result of the project, especially among housewives. Regarding chocolate, the general mood has changed for the better as people now begin to feel assured that it is good to eat chocolate.

 

Click here to download the Final Evaluation Report