What Is Cacao
Cacao is the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree, grown mainly in West Africa, Central and South America. After harvest, the beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and ground into cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder.
Cacao in Global Trade
Cacao is a major soft commodity, traded on futures exchanges as contracts for delivery of beans or processed products. Prices are influenced by harvest forecasts, weather, shipping routes, and demand from chocolate manufacturers.
From Bean to Chocolate
Chocolate production begins with cacao beans, which are blended, conched, and tempered. The resulting product is sold as bars, couverture, and cocoa powder, linking farmers, processors, and retailers worldwide.
