cocoa farmers

Vanuatu National Cocoa Strategy workshop in Epi

With growing demand for Vanuatu cocoa internationally, the Department is in the process of developing a National Cocoa Strategy to strengthen and address issues and challenges confronting the cocoa sector.

In his opening address, DARD Acting Principal South, Peter Iesul called on cocoa farmers to focus on three areas required to boost the cocoa sector – “quality, quantity and consistency.”

Cocoa farmers put Vanuatu on global map for fine chocolate

Mabong and Moli have helped put Vanuatu on the global cocoa map for fine chocolate.

The two men celebrated with the winners today as they received Certificates of Recognition at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France.

Their cocoa bean samples were among the initial 166 samples submitted from 44 cocoa producing countries.

Every two years, this unique Programme spearheaded by Bioversity International and Event International recognizes quality, flavour and diversity of cocoas according to their origin. 

Vanuatu landowners want better deal for cocoa plantation

Established in 1983, the Metenesel Cocoa Plantation is due to be taken over this month by Biscochoc, a French chocolate company based in New Caledonia.

Its chief executive Dominique Lefeivre intends to use cocoa grown at the plantation to produce organic chocolate products.

But a spokesperson representing landowners told the Vanuatu Daily Post that they have instructed their lawyer to file a stay order on the development, while they request the Vanuatu Government to review the lease agreement signed in 1983.

Fiji cocoa farms receive recovery assistance

The assistance is being made possible through the Increasing Agriculture Commodity Trade (IACT) project TC Winston Recovery Action; a FJD4.3 million initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC).

 The first recipient, Tomohito Zukoshi, co-founder of Fijiana Cocoa and Adi Chocolate brands, has recently received equipment needed to clear cocoa plantations and improve cocoa productivity.