Cocoa

Background

Approximately 7.3 million metric tons of chocolate are consumed each year. In the UK, that equates to around 8 million people eating chocolate every day, and in the U.S, 50% of the population say they cannot live without a daily dose.

These staggering figures are even more astonishing when you consider that over 40% of the world's global cocoa supply comes from one country: Ivory Coast.

In fact, 70% of all cocoa produced originates from two million farms in the West African region. Most of these cocoa farms are managed by families and are relatively small in size, between seven and ten acres.

The average West African cocoa grower has no access to irrigation or modern farming techniques, lives on around 75p per day (far below the World Bank’s extreme poverty line of £1.40) and many are responsible for a household of up to eight family members.

CAYAT

CAYAT is a cocoa, coffee and cashew nut producing co-operative, based around the towns of Adzopé and Yakassé-Attobrou in the South East of Ivory Coast.

CAYAT was established in 2010, with 283 members. Its aim was to unite cocoa farmers and to tackle the deep socio-economic challenges in the region, whilst farming sustainably and boosting farmer incomes.

They became Fairtrade certified in 2012, and have grown to over 3,000 members located across 38 villages in Ivory Coast; 400 of these members are women.

Shared Interest first provided finance to the co-operative in 2016, enabling them to increase production and meet the growing demand for cocoa.

We have since increased our support of CAYAT in line with the businesses growth, enabling the co-operative to continue creating jobs, securing contracts and delivering transformational community initiatives.

Click here to learn more about CAYAT.

ECOOKIM

One of the largest cocoa co-operatives in Ivory Coast, Ecookim was established in 2004 and became a Shared Interest customer in 2014. 

The co-operative has utilised Shared Interest finance to build warehouses, purchase vehicles and invest in education, health facilities, water and sanitation.

ECOOKIM was founded upon the vision of ensuring every cocoa farmer receive a greater share of the cocoa supply chain by selling directly in the international cocoa market.

ECOOKIM's membership has grown to reach over 30 farmer co-operatives, connecting over 40,000 cocoa and cashew producers across the country with international markets.

Click here to learn more about ECOOKIM.  

Cuencas del Huallaga

Nestled approximately 400m above sea level in the picturesque region of San Martin, Peru, Cuencas del Huallaga is a bustling cocoa co-operative specialising in the cultivation of high quality Fairtrade and organic cocoa.

Founded in 2018 by 24 farmers, Cuencas del Huallaga have expanded their operations to span the vast territories of Campanilla, San Jose de Sisa and Pucallpa, supporting over 800 farmers.

The co-operative have been a Shared Interest customer since 2019, utilising our finance to secure contracts with buyers from the UK, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium.

Click here to learn more about Cuencas del Huallaga.