| Cocoa bean is the dried and roasted seed from | | | | Here are some benefits of having a direct |
| the cacao pod of the indigenous "Cacao tree or | | | | agreement between farmer and chocolate |
| Cocoa Plant". Approximately, there are 20 to 50 | | | | manufacturer: |
| soft almond-like beans per pod. The cocoa bean | | | | Manufacturer... |
| has a purplish or reddish color. Study shows that | | | | 1. Can give definite instructions to farmers. |
| cocoa contains high level of flavonoids which have | | | | Manufacturer can even require the standard of |
| a cardiovascular benefit. | | | | cocoa beans that they'll be needing in their |
| Did you know that in 17th century, Venezuela | | | | production. |
| was the world's major cocoa producer and | | | | 2. Gets the right quality and aroma of beans |
| exporter. Currently, one of the chief producers of | | | | needed for their production. |
| cocoa in the world is Dominican Republic. Followed | | | | 3. Can ask for a bargain price for bulk orders. |
| by Cibao Valley, San Francisco de Macoris and | | | | Farmer... |
| Santiago. | | | | 1. Can meet the exact standards required by the |
| One of the best cocoa producers is Dominican | | | | client. |
| Republic because cocoa farmers there really | | | | 2. Knows essential details about cocoa. It is very |
| know how to cultivate and nourish cacao trees. | | | | unlikely for a middleman to know more |
| This is the main reason why they have high | | | | information about the product. |
| quality cocoa beans. The country produces two | | | | 3. Doesn't need to hire a middleman to find |
| types of cocoa beans. These are the Hispaniola | | | | manufacturer. |
| and the Sanchez. Based on the study, Hispaniola | | | | 4. Will be able to get the right price for their |
| has 4% share while Sanchez has 96% share in | | | | products. No need to share their mark up price |
| the country's cocoa production . | | | | with their middlemen. |
| Cocoa is considered as the market's smallest | | | | 5. Can offer discounted amount of the product to |
| commodity. Cocoa beans have been available to | | | | chocolate manufacturers. This can help in |
| the market for several years now. Moreover, | | | | maintaining longer and stronger relationship with |
| traders before was engaged into barter using | | | | clients. |
| cocoa products. Today, cocoa products are | | | | Selling cocoa is the number one source of income |
| traded in London and New York. London market | | | | for the families of cocoa farmers. Indeed, the |
| rely on the cocoa production of West African | | | | most important time for them is the harvesting |
| while New York market depend on South East | | | | period. They will start to grade, weigh and |
| Asia. | | | | prepare dried cocoa beans, then deliver all cocoa |
| The operation in cocoa industry is improving. | | | | bags to their clients. This will eventually convert |
| Before, it's the middleman who closes a deal | | | | the products into cash! |
| between farmer and manufacturer. Now, farmer | | | | Cocoa farmers play an important role in our |
| can directly make an arrangement with chocolate | | | | society. Without them, we can't have enough |
| manufacturer. This clearly eliminates the need and | | | | supply of our favorite chocolates anytime! |
| cost of having a middleman. | | | | |