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GEPEX exporters end Ivorian cocoa auction boycott

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Bans and Sanctions, Cocoa

The GEPEX group of exporters that accounts for about 55 percent of Ivory Coast's cocoa exports has agreed to end its boycott of auctions, three industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.

The group, which includes Nestle, Cargill , Barry Callebaut, Olam and ADM Cocoa, will take part in auctions starting from Friday, the sources told Reuters, asking not to be named.

Many main exporters in the world's top grower had boycotted the auctions for forward sales of next season's crop, arguing that reforms, aimed at guaranteeing farmers about 50 to 60 percent of the market price, were unclear and unworkable.

"We will take part in the auction but that doesn't mean we are in agreement on everything," the head of an international export firm told Reuters.

"We are continuing our discussions with the government and the CGFCC (regulator) to find an overall agreement on the taxes.

There are still lots of little points of disagreement," he added.

Last week, a separate group of exporters, which included majors such as Armajaro and Noble and accounts for about 40 percent of Ivory Coast's exports, reached an agreement with the government and ended its boycott of the auctions.

Cocoa farmers worried about fake insecticides

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa, Counterfeit Products, Farmer, Ghana, Pesticide and Herbicide

The Odikro of Adiembra Number Two in the Asamankese Traditional Area, on Friday called on the Police to apprehend persons selling fake chemicals for cocoa cultivation.

Baffour Yentumi Ampofo II, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) shortly after her enthronement at Adiembra Number Two, amidst tight security to preserve the sanctity of the occasion.

Baffour Yentumi, 59, was known in private life as Mrs. Salomey Oparebea, a farmer, baker and contractor. She swore the oath of allegiance and secrecy to Nana Kwaku Amoah III, Chief of Asamankese, who was represented by Baffour Obeng Awuakye, Wirempemhene also the general administrator of the Asamankese palace.

The Odikro (sub-chief) popularly called “IGP”, said some unidentified persons were going around cocoa growing villages with fake brands of “confidor”, an insecticide mostly used on cocoa farms, and other agro-chemicals on the market.

According to her, the fake insecticides containers bore the same label as the original, but was very harmful to cocoa trees and pods.

She noted that the fake chemicals were most common on the Asamankese, Suhum, Kibi and Akim Oda markets.

Baffour Yentumi stated that vegetables, especially garden eggs produced from the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District had a sour taste and wondered if it was due to fake chemicals.

She appealed to the general public to promptly pass on to the appropriate authorities, any information on such fake products for action to be taken.

According to her, there were several fake products on the Ghanaian market, and said it was high time Ghanaians sat up to stop the activities of fraudsters.

GNA

Cocoa farmers worried about fake insecticides

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa, Counterfeit Products, Farmer, Ghana, Pesticide and Herbicide

The Odikro of Adiembra Number Two in the Asamankese Traditional Area, on Friday called on the Police to apprehend persons selling fake chemicals for cocoa cultivation.

Baffour Yentumi Ampofo II, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) shortly after her enthronement at Adiembra Number Two, amidst tight security to preserve the sanctity of the occasion.

Baffour Yentumi, 59, was known in private life as Mrs. Salomey Oparebea, a farmer, baker and contractor. She swore the oath of allegiance and secrecy to Nana Kwaku Amoah III, Chief of Asamankese, who was represented by Baffour Obeng Awuakye, Wirempemhene also the general administrator of the Asamankese palace.

The Odikro (sub-chief) popularly called “IGP”, said some unidentified persons were going around cocoa growing villages with fake brands of “confidor”, an insecticide mostly used on cocoa farms, and other agro-chemicals on the market.

According to her, the fake insecticides containers bore the same label as the original, but was very harmful to cocoa trees and pods.

She noted that the fake chemicals were most common on the Asamankese, Suhum, Kibi and Akim Oda markets.

Baffour Yentumi stated that vegetables, especially garden eggs produced from the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District had a sour taste and wondered if it was due to fake chemicals.

She appealed to the general public to promptly pass on to the appropriate authorities, any information on such fake products for action to be taken.

According to her, there were several fake products on the Ghanaian market, and said it was high time Ghanaians sat up to stop the activities of fraudsters.

GNA

Jamaica: Cocoa Sector Re-Energised

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Cocoa, Jamaica

The cocoa sector is seen as poised for growth based on ramped-up government support and interest from overseas processors.

"We are the finest flavour in the world and we have been having many enquiries from around the world from processors, who want the fine flavour," said Robert Montague, who up to the December election was minister of agriculture.

"Based on the applications for licences for the processing and export of cocoa from our overseas partners, it is a glorious and bright day for cocoa," he said.

The marketing of the bean is overseen by the Cocoa Industry Board, which buys from farmers.

Government has increased the farm gate price of cocoa by 23 per cent and is looking at promoting small-scale, high-end production of the crop utilising technologies from India and the wider Caribbean.

A number of farmer's co-operatives across Jamaica have restarted, and the Cocoa Industry Board is also engaged with the Scientific Research Council to develop and market high-end value-added products from cocoa.

Last year, the Cocoa Board secured a J$63-million grant from the European Union to help 650 farmers boost production for export.

Under the two-year project, which is expected to resuscitate some 1,500 acres of cocoa fields and grow yields by 50 per cent, farmers will receive increased access to extension services and training in best practices.

"In going forward, we hope to raise the output this year by about 500 metric tonnes ... we have seen an increase. The farmer now will be seeing returns from the cocoa, and it is all part of the Government's effort to re-engage this industry," the minister said.

The Cocoa Industry Board is the sole marketing agent for Jamaican cocoa. A significant portion of the beans processed is exported primarily to Europe, Japan and the United States. Processing normally takes place at the four fermentaries in the parishes of Hanover, Clarendon, St Mary and Kingston.

Jamaica: Cocoa Sector Re-Energised

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Cocoa, Jamaica

The cocoa sector is seen as poised for growth based on ramped-up government support and interest from overseas processors.

"We are the finest flavour in the world and we have been having many enquiries from around the world from processors, who want the fine flavour," said Robert Montague, who up to the December election was minister of agriculture.

"Based on the applications for licences for the processing and export of cocoa from our overseas partners, it is a glorious and bright day for cocoa," he said.

The marketing of the bean is overseen by the Cocoa Industry Board, which buys from farmers.

Government has increased the farm gate price of cocoa by 23 per cent and is looking at promoting small-scale, high-end production of the crop utilising technologies from India and the wider Caribbean.

A number of farmer's co-operatives across Jamaica have restarted, and the Cocoa Industry Board is also engaged with the Scientific Research Council to develop and market high-end value-added products from cocoa.

Last year, the Cocoa Board secured a J$63-million grant from the European Union to help 650 farmers boost production for export.

Under the two-year project, which is expected to resuscitate some 1,500 acres of cocoa fields and grow yields by 50 per cent, farmers will receive increased access to extension services and training in best practices.

"In going forward, we hope to raise the output this year by about 500 metric tonnes ... we have seen an increase. The farmer now will be seeing returns from the cocoa, and it is all part of the Government's effort to re-engage this industry," the minister said.

The Cocoa Industry Board is the sole marketing agent for Jamaican cocoa. A significant portion of the beans processed is exported primarily to Europe, Japan and the United States. Processing normally takes place at the four fermentaries in the parishes of Hanover, Clarendon, St Mary and Kingston.

Dry, windy weather darkens Ivorian cocoa outlook

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa

Dry and windy weather in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing regions last week has deepened fears about the development of the crop after January, farmers said on Monday.

The world's top grower is entering the last stage of the October-to-March main crop with an output surplus over last year, but if there is no rain plantations could turn out to be short of beans in the coming weeks.

In the western region of Duekoue, farmers said no rain fell last week as a strong seasonal wind, called the harmattan, raged.

They said the conditions were weakening trees, and flowers and young pods were drying up.

"Flowers and small pods are falling from the trees because of the very strong harmattan and it is still warm," said Amara Kone, who farms on the outskirts of Duekoue.

"If the weather stays like this, I'm worried we won't have any cocoa in February or March." In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said the lack of moisture and strong wind would weigh on the size and quality during the last stage of the main crop.

"(Farmers) are worried because the beans could end up small since there's no rain and the harmattan is strong," said Salam Kone, a farmer in Soubre.

"All we need is a bit of rain to support the crop for March." Similar growing conditions were reported in western regions of Meagui and Gagnoa, in the coastal region of Sassandra and in southern regions of Divo and Agboville.

In the centre-western region of Daloa, which produces a quarter of Ivory Coast's national output, farmers also said the hot weather and strong harmattan would reduce main crop output.

Dry, windy weather darkens Ivorian cocoa outlook

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa

Dry and windy weather in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing regions last week has deepened fears about the development of the crop after January, farmers said on Monday.

The world's top grower is entering the last stage of the October-to-March main crop with an output surplus over last year, but if there is no rain plantations could turn out to be short of beans in the coming weeks.

In the western region of Duekoue, farmers said no rain fell last week as a strong seasonal wind, called the harmattan, raged.

They said the conditions were weakening trees, and flowers and young pods were drying up.

"Flowers and small pods are falling from the trees because of the very strong harmattan and it is still warm," said Amara Kone, who farms on the outskirts of Duekoue.

"If the weather stays like this, I'm worried we won't have any cocoa in February or March." In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said the lack of moisture and strong wind would weigh on the size and quality during the last stage of the main crop.

"(Farmers) are worried because the beans could end up small since there's no rain and the harmattan is strong," said Salam Kone, a farmer in Soubre.

"All we need is a bit of rain to support the crop for March." Similar growing conditions were reported in western regions of Meagui and Gagnoa, in the coastal region of Sassandra and in southern regions of Divo and Agboville.

In the centre-western region of Daloa, which produces a quarter of Ivory Coast's national output, farmers also said the hot weather and strong harmattan would reduce main crop output.

Top cocoa trader Olam warns of global deficit

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: 2011 News, Cocoa, Futures Cocoa and Coffee

(Commodities Now) Leading cocoa trader Olam International Ltd warned on Monday of a tightening global market in 2012, with supplies moving into deficit after this year's record surplus drove prices too low. Spot cocoa futures prices in New York and London surged 10 percent off their session lows after Gerry Manley, the head of Olam's cocoa division, told Reuters he expects world 2011/12 production to fall around 100,000 tonnes short of grindings. Other traders have generally seen the market as balanced.

"We think there's a likelihood the deficit could increase; the arrivals at the moment look good and we believe that's because of some carry over from last year," he said, forecasting a dramatic drop in arrivals from January onwards.

As one of the world's four biggest traders of cocoa, Olam has a nearly unrivaled view of the opaque and secretive market, which is the year's second-worst-performing commodity after fears of a lengthy civil war in top producer Ivory Coast yielded to a surplus of supply. The news fueled a rash of short-covering as traders bet the slump had gone too far.

NYSE Liffe cocoa futures , which had fallen by as much as 45 percent since the height of unrest in Ivory Coast in March, touched an over three-year low of 1,287 a pound on Monday before rebounding 10 percent to close sharply higher.

Manley said the market was oversold due to the size of the 2010/11 surplus and the expectation of forward crop sales from Ivory Coast in the wake of their planned cocoa sector reforms.

"Given the fundamental story, the outlook for next year as we see it, and given some uncertainty with the macro side of the picture, particularly in Europe, we think a price range of 1,600 to 1,700 pounds is a more realistic value," he said. Olam's view is more bullish than the norm. Commodities broker Marex Spectron said a month ago that it expected a supply surplus of 32,000 tonnes, while the International Cocoa Organization said in late September it expected a balanced market. The ICCO hasn't provided a more recent forecast.

Manley said the 2010/11 global surplus, which Olam estimates at 500,000 tonnes, has contributed to strong port arrival figures in the world's top producer Ivory Coast, which is currently shipping its 2011/12 main crop. Cocoa arrivals at ports in top grower Ivory Coast reached 422,430 tonnes by Dec. 4, up from 400,043 tonnes in the same period a year ago, according to data from Bourse du Cafe et Cacao (BCC) obtained by Reuters on Friday.

FALL IN IVORY COAST

Olam expects Ivory Coast's main crop to fall to just over 1 million tonnes in 2011/12, down from 1.35 million tonnes the previous year, when ideal weather boosted West African output.

Grindings growth, an indicator of demand, was forecast at 3 percent in 2011/12, mainly driven by emerging market demand for cocoa powder, Manley said. When a cocoa bean is processed it makes roughly equal parts butter and powder. In recent years powder demand has outpaced butter demand due to most of the cocoa products consumed in emerging markets being powderbased including chocolate-flavoured cakes and ice cream.

The weaker demand for butter has led to cheaper prices for what was once the premium cocoa product. "We still believe that butter stock is being added to, but less so than in the past, and we do believe at these price levels there is much better offtake for butter," Manley said. "It's very marginal but there is some small switch back from substitutes and some replacement for other fats. As an outright price it's hard to believe butter could go too much lower than this."

IVORY COAST REFORM

Part of Ivory Coast's cocoa sector reform plans include an intention to sell forward up to 80 percent of their crop. However, Manley said that at current price levels it would be surprising if the 2012/13 crop was sold forward.

"We don't see why they would like to commercialize the crop at levels that wouldn't give their farmers a good price in the future," Manley said.

Top cocoa trader Olam warns of global deficit

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: 2011 News, Cocoa, Futures Cocoa and Coffee

(Commodities Now) Leading cocoa trader Olam International Ltd warned on Monday of a tightening global market in 2012, with supplies moving into deficit after this year's record surplus drove prices too low. Spot cocoa futures prices in New York and London surged 10 percent off their session lows after Gerry Manley, the head of Olam's cocoa division, told Reuters he expects world 2011/12 production to fall around 100,000 tonnes short of grindings. Other traders have generally seen the market as balanced.

"We think there's a likelihood the deficit could increase; the arrivals at the moment look good and we believe that's because of some carry over from last year," he said, forecasting a dramatic drop in arrivals from January onwards.

As one of the world's four biggest traders of cocoa, Olam has a nearly unrivaled view of the opaque and secretive market, which is the year's second-worst-performing commodity after fears of a lengthy civil war in top producer Ivory Coast yielded to a surplus of supply. The news fueled a rash of short-covering as traders bet the slump had gone too far.

NYSE Liffe cocoa futures , which had fallen by as much as 45 percent since the height of unrest in Ivory Coast in March, touched an over three-year low of 1,287 a pound on Monday before rebounding 10 percent to close sharply higher.

Manley said the market was oversold due to the size of the 2010/11 surplus and the expectation of forward crop sales from Ivory Coast in the wake of their planned cocoa sector reforms.

"Given the fundamental story, the outlook for next year as we see it, and given some uncertainty with the macro side of the picture, particularly in Europe, we think a price range of 1,600 to 1,700 pounds is a more realistic value," he said. Olam's view is more bullish than the norm. Commodities broker Marex Spectron said a month ago that it expected a supply surplus of 32,000 tonnes, while the International Cocoa Organization said in late September it expected a balanced market. The ICCO hasn't provided a more recent forecast.

Manley said the 2010/11 global surplus, which Olam estimates at 500,000 tonnes, has contributed to strong port arrival figures in the world's top producer Ivory Coast, which is currently shipping its 2011/12 main crop. Cocoa arrivals at ports in top grower Ivory Coast reached 422,430 tonnes by Dec. 4, up from 400,043 tonnes in the same period a year ago, according to data from Bourse du Cafe et Cacao (BCC) obtained by Reuters on Friday.

FALL IN IVORY COAST

Olam expects Ivory Coast's main crop to fall to just over 1 million tonnes in 2011/12, down from 1.35 million tonnes the previous year, when ideal weather boosted West African output.

Grindings growth, an indicator of demand, was forecast at 3 percent in 2011/12, mainly driven by emerging market demand for cocoa powder, Manley said. When a cocoa bean is processed it makes roughly equal parts butter and powder. In recent years powder demand has outpaced butter demand due to most of the cocoa products consumed in emerging markets being powderbased including chocolate-flavoured cakes and ice cream.

The weaker demand for butter has led to cheaper prices for what was once the premium cocoa product. "We still believe that butter stock is being added to, but less so than in the past, and we do believe at these price levels there is much better offtake for butter," Manley said. "It's very marginal but there is some small switch back from substitutes and some replacement for other fats. As an outright price it's hard to believe butter could go too much lower than this."

IVORY COAST REFORM

Part of Ivory Coast's cocoa sector reform plans include an intention to sell forward up to 80 percent of their crop. However, Manley said that at current price levels it would be surprising if the 2012/13 crop was sold forward.

"We don't see why they would like to commercialize the crop at levels that wouldn't give their farmers a good price in the future," Manley said.

Genetically Modified Chocolate to Consume 70% of Global Cocoa Supply

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Cocoa, Genetically Modified (GM) crops

Anthony Gucciardi

Activist Post

New initiatives seek to genetically modify 70% of the global cocoa supply, highlighting the necessity for consumers to select only high-quality organic chocolate products in order to avoid this threat.

Using genetically modified cocoa tree hybrids, scientists are already spreading the news about their new ‘tastier’ modified chocolate.

The campaign to use genetically modified cocoa tree hybrids is a product of a collaboration involving the USDA, Mars chocolate manufacturer, and even IBM.

The funding for the initiative comes from Mars, involving scientists based at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture and Science in addition to the inclusion of researchers working at IBM’s Thomas J Watson Research Center.

What are these scientists doing exactly?

They are actively working to finalize the gene sequencing of the cocoa genome in order to officially begin the widespread modification of the chocolate supply.

The scientists claim that the project will actually “benefit” the chocolate industry and cocoa growers in West Africa — the home of 70% of the world’s cocoa production.

History Repeats -- GMO Crops, Plant Life Destroy the Environment

Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro, head of plant science and research at the confectionery firm, totes pest and disease resistance among the “benefits” of genetically modified cocoa tree hybrids. Is history repeating itself?

'As plant breeders, we’re always looking after the golden traits: pest and disease resistant, drought tolerance, the ability to adapt to climate change, tree architecture, yield quality, etc,' said Dr Shapiro.

Reports have surfaced revealing how GMO crops which are engineered to include Bt, a biopesticide, are actually breeding mutated species of insects which are no longer affected by the biopesticide. In fact, over 8 populations of insects developed resistance, 6 of which were resistant to Bt crops as a whole. Even after further genetically modifying these plants, it was found to be ineffective. Perhaps Dr. Shapiro would think differently about the amazing pest-resistant benefits of genetically modified plant life if he read this research.

If this campaign comes to pass, it will be through the major pushes of the USDA and Mars chocolate manufacturer. GMO crops have continually been found to threaten the environment as well as your health. This is why they are being continually banned around the globe as individuals realize the extreme dangers that go along with the genetic modification of the food supply.

The results have been published on the Cacao Genome Database website.

Cameroon cocoa prices dip as beans hit market

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa, Prices

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Cocoa farm-gate prices in Cameroon have dropped since last month as production has increased, farmers said on Monday.

An easing of rains in the world's fifth-largest grower has also improved bean drying operations and made upcountry roads more passable -- increasing the amount of export-ready cocoa available to the market.

"There is a steady supply of the beans on the market," said Francis Fobi, the secretary general of the South-West Farmers Cooperative Union (SOWEFCU) based in the main marketing centre Kumba. The South-West produces 40 percent of the national crop.

Speaking to Reuters from Emana in the Centre region, which produces another 40 percent of Cameroon's cocoa, local cooperative leader Emmanuel Nnogo Akolo said improved weather conditions have led to a massive influx of unlicensed buyers from the capital city.

They move from door to door with plenty of cash and save the farmers the pains of transporting beans themselves.

"Many farmers here are very eager now to sell their beans and begin buying Christmas provisions for their family members before the month of December when prices go up," he said.

Prices in the South, the third largest growing region, also fell. Farmers said the collapse of the Ntem River bridge had made it hard for them to move beans out of the area.

Cameroon's cocoa season runs from August 1 to July 31, with the main harvest period from October to February. Production hit an all-time record of 240,000 tonnes in 2010/11, and the Cocoa Development Authority (SODECAO) foresees it reaching 250,000 tonnes in 2011/12.

Cameroon cocoa prices dip as beans hit market

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Africa, Cocoa, Prices

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Cocoa farm-gate prices in Cameroon have dropped since last month as production has increased, farmers said on Monday.

An easing of rains in the world's fifth-largest grower has also improved bean drying operations and made upcountry roads more passable -- increasing the amount of export-ready cocoa available to the market.

"There is a steady supply of the beans on the market," said Francis Fobi, the secretary general of the South-West Farmers Cooperative Union (SOWEFCU) based in the main marketing centre Kumba. The South-West produces 40 percent of the national crop.

Speaking to Reuters from Emana in the Centre region, which produces another 40 percent of Cameroon's cocoa, local cooperative leader Emmanuel Nnogo Akolo said improved weather conditions have led to a massive influx of unlicensed buyers from the capital city.

They move from door to door with plenty of cash and save the farmers the pains of transporting beans themselves.

"Many farmers here are very eager now to sell their beans and begin buying Christmas provisions for their family members before the month of December when prices go up," he said.

Prices in the South, the third largest growing region, also fell. Farmers said the collapse of the Ntem River bridge had made it hard for them to move beans out of the area.

Cameroon's cocoa season runs from August 1 to July 31, with the main harvest period from October to February. Production hit an all-time record of 240,000 tonnes in 2010/11, and the Cocoa Development Authority (SODECAO) foresees it reaching 250,000 tonnes in 2011/12.

Abstract: Impact of cocoa processing technologies in free fatty acids formation in stored raw cocoa beans

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Abstract, CIS, Cocoa, food sciences

raw_coca

Abstract: Impact of cocoa processing technologies in free fatty acids formation in stored raw cocoa beans. The quality of raw cocoa beans depends widely on their free fatty acids (FFA) content. High FFA content is a serious quality defect and reduces the technical and economic value of the cocoa beans.

The work investigates the influence of cocoa processing technologies on FFA formation during storage of raw cocoa beans. Different samples of ferment dried cocoa beans purchased from Cote d’Ivoire were stored and analysed for FFA content. Very low FFA contents were found in whole healthy cocoa beans generally complied with UE standards (1.75% oleic acid equivalent) throughout storage while high FFA content was found in poor quality and broken healthy beans. The formation of FFA did not depend on the genotype or on cocoa post-harvest processing technologies. However, high and increasing FFA contents were observed in defective cocoa beans and could be attributed probably to the activity of microflora which in turn were associated with initial quality and loss of physical integrity of the cocoa beans.

Author: Simplice Tagro Guehi¹, Michae¹ Dingkuhn², Emile Cros³, Gérard Fourny³, Robert Ratomahenina⁴, Guy Moulin⁴ and Anne Clement Vidal²
¹Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Technologie Alimentaire. UFR Sciences et Technologies des Aliments. Université d’Abobo-Adjamé. 02 Bp 801 Abidjan 02. Côte d’Ivoire.
²CIRAD-AMIS, Equipe Ecotrop, TA 40/01, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
³CIRAD-CP/Programme Cacao, Laboratoire de Chimie-Technologie du cacao, TA 80/16, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
⁴INRA-Montpellier, Laboratoire de microbiologie industrielle et de génétique des microorganismes, 2 Place Viala, 34000 Montpellier, France.

Keywords: Raw cocoa beans, processing technologies, free fatty acids content

Commodity Prices - Cocoa market news june 18 2011

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: CIS, Cocoa, cocoa prices, commodity prices

Commodity Prices - Cocoa market news june 18 2011; Cocoa prices are consolidating well below March's 32-year high. Bearish factors include (1) ICO's prediction that 2010/11 global cocoa production will climb 10.9% to 4.025 MMT and the hike in its 2010/11 global cocoa surplus estimate to 187,000 MT, up 68,000 MT from its Feb estimate and (2) the prediction from Ghana, the second-biggest cocoa producer, for a record 2010-11 cocoa harvest of 930,000 MT.

Bullish factors include (1) supply concerns as cocoa deliveries to Ivory Coast ports in the week ended Jun 5 fell -48% from a year earlier to 12,152 MT, (2) the +3.5% y/y increase in Q1 European cocoa grindings, the first gain in 2 quarters, and (3) ICO's hike in its 2010-11 global grindings estimate to a record 3.798 MMT.

Fundamental Outlook-Bull Market Correction-Cocoa prices are correcting lower from their 32-yr high. Longer-term fundamentals remain supportive with ICO's hike in its deficit estimate for the 2009/10 (Oct-Sep) marketing year to 89,000 MT. World cocoa output is 3.630 MMT in 2009/10 and ICO predicts a 10.9% increase to 4.025 MMT for 2010/11. Demand in 2010/11 is forecast up 3.1%, although higher output will lead to a +11.5% gain in ending stocks to 1.816 MMT. The stocks/consumption ratio is forecast at 47.8% vs the yr-earlier 44.2%. @ commodity prices

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Cocoa commodities: Cocoa prices news june 17 2011

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: agriculture commodities, CIS, Cocoa, commodities prices

Cocoa commodities: Cocoa prices news june 17 2011 - Ivorian cocoa prices rise on strong demand: ABIDJAN, June 17 (Reuters) - Cocoa farmgate prices in Ivory Coast's cocoa growing regions rose last week, Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) figures showed on Friday, amid strong demand from grinders and exporters.

Prices for the West African state's main export have been rising slowly but steadily since April and the end of a violent four-month power struggle that killed thousands and brought the economy to its knees.

In the coastal region of San Pedro, BCC figures showed the average farmgate price jumped to 700 CFA francs ($1.51) per kg from 660 CFA francs the previous week.

Farmers said strong competition in the region led mainly by grinders was supporting prices.

"Prices are rising because of the grinders. They are buying lots of cocoa compared to this time last year," said Labbe Zoungrana, who farms near San Pedro.

In the southern region of Aboisso the average price was at 640 CFA francs per kg from 625 CFA francs, according to the BCC figures, though farmers contacted by Reuters said they were receiving around 600 CFA francs per kg.

"Prices are up, but they're not over 600 CFA," said Etiene Yao, who farms near Aboisso.

The BCC did not publish prices for the centre-western region of Daloa, but farmers said they rose to 600 CFA francs per kg from 550 to 575 CFA francs the previous week, as exporters were seen buying.

"Merchants, purchasers and exporters are still buying up cocoa," said farmer Attoungbre Kouame.

The BCC also did not publish prices for the western region of Soubre, but farmers said the price remained steady at around 650 CFA francs per kg as beans were of good quality.

A purchases manager of an international cocoa exporter said prices at the port of Abidjan ranged from 725 CFA francs to 880 CFA francs per kg from between 775 and 875 CFA francs the previous week.

Tags: cocoa, commodity, commodities, agriculture, agriculture commodity, agriculture commodities, agricultural commodity, agricultural commodities, price, prices, commodity price, commodity prices, commodities price, commodities prices, agriculture commodity price, agriculture commodity prices, agricultural commodity price, agricultural commodity prices, cocoa price, cocoa prices

agriculture commodities - how to reduce residue of pesticide in the african cocoa

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: agriculture commodities, CIS, Cocoa

agriculture commodities - how to reduce residue of pesticide in the african cocoa: African Cocoa Producers discuss ways of reducing pesticide residues. Representatives of African cocoa producing countries are meeting in a four-day regional workshop named “COCOA SPS AFRICA” in Yaounde. The workshop that also grouped representatives from Europe, the United States of America and Japan has been organised to examine concerns regarding the health risks associated with the use of pesticides in cocoa production.

Risks which have provoked some countries to enact sanitary and phyto-sanitary, legislature and regulatory measures to stop importing cocoa beans with pesticide residues and other harmful substances.

The workshop has been organised by the International Cocoa Organisation, ICCO, with funding from the Standards and Trade Development Facility, STDF to build the capacities of African cocoa producing countries to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticide residues in cocoa and to maintain market access.

The Managing Director of the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, NCCB, Michael Ndoping, during his welcome address indicated that the workshop is very important for Cameroon because about 98 percent of the country’s cocoa is shipped to Europe.

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How to Turn Cocoa Powder into Chocolate

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Chocolate, CIS, Cocoa, Cocoa Powder, How to Make

There are hundreds of recipes that involve many kinds of sugar, milk and cocoa. Some of the enriched chocolate comes from recipes of cocoa. You need not to be an expert in the kitchen to conjure up a batch of chocolate. Use this chocolate to frost brownies, ice cream or even to eat like fudge.

Goods you should prepare:

1 teasp. pure vanilla extract
1 pound powdered sugar
1 stick margarine or butter
4 tabblesp. unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tabblesp. milk
chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:

Place 1 stick of butter in a medium saucepan.
Add 4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder and 6 tablespoons. milk. That's all boiling over medium-high heat.
Remove pan from heat and add 4 cups of powdered sugar. Stir until sugar is well blended. If you do not want lumps in your chocolate, sift powdered sugar first.
Stir in a c. tea. vanilla and chopped nuts or any nut.
Pour the chocolate over ice cream or spread on hot brownies.

Baking with Chocolate and Cocoa

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Cacao, Chocolate, Cocoa, Food Processing

Many recipes for chocolate cakes are complicated and some even requires specialized ingredients of equipment. However, it is also possible to make delicious cakes without the most expensive bittersweet chocolate or expensive equipment. See our selection of recipes.

Chocolate or cocoa

A cake made with cocoa instead of chocolate can be as delicious as a cake made with chocolate (e.g. some brownies). In some cases cocoa makes the cake more moist and more flavorful. However, some cakes must be made with chocolate (e.g. chocolate mousse cakes), and some are best if a combination of chocolate and cocoa is used. Chocolate icing is best if made with chocolate.

Both natural and Dutched cocoa may be used. Natural cocoa is slightly acidic and has a lighter color than Dutched cocoa. Natural cocoa may be used in combination with baking soda even if no additional acidifier is used in the recipe. Dutched cocoa has a darker color and is alkaline. It must not be used in combination with baking soda without adding an acidic ingredient, e.g., orange juice or sour cream.

Type of chocolate

It is very important to use the type of chocolate which is specified in the recipe. Never use a bittersweet chocolate if the recipe specifies semi-sweet or sweet! The quality of the chocolate is more important for recipes requiring fairly large amounts of chocolate compared to other ingredients (for example chocolate mousse, souffle, truffle, or a chocolate frosting). However, when you try a new recipe for the first time we recommend that you do not use very expensive chocolate before you have tested the recipe.

Melting chocolate

Be very careful when melting the chocolate. Chocolate starts to melt at around 95 degrees F / 35 degrees C and cannot stand a temperature above 120 degrees F / 50 degrees C; then it burns, separates and cannot be used. Therefore a double boiler should be used. Chop the chocolate coarsely and put it into the upper bowl. Stir frequently when it starts to melt, preferably with a plastic spatula. Once melted it will stay fluid for at least 30 minutes. The melted chocolate should not get in direct contact with water or steam. Please note that if the upper bowl in the double boiler is in direct contact with boiling water for several minutes the chocolate may burn. To avoid this use non-boiling hot water and stir frequently; alternatively place the upper bowl above boiling water and let the heat from the steam melt the chocolate in the upper bowl.

You can also melt chocolate in the microwave oven: put coarsely chopped chocolate in a glass bowl and put the bowl in the microwave oven. Use medium setting. The time will vary depending on the type of oven, the approximate melting time is 2 minutes for 6 oz (180 g).

In some recipes chocolate is dissolved by pouring boiling cream over chocolate chips, and that works well if you stir constantly.

Baking soda or baking powder

Traditionally baking soda is preferred in some countries and baking powder in others. Baking soda requires an acidic ingredient in order to work properly and in order to avoid an alkaline flavor of the cake. This acidic ingredient may be natural cocoa, orange juice, lemon juice, acetic acid, or sour cream. Baking powder is more neutral and does therefore not require an acidic ingredient. If a recipe calls for baking powder you should not use baking soda instead.

Source: Cacaoweb.net

Cameroon: Cocoa output expected to Increase by 9%

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: cameroon, Cocoa, GIC PPLAC LTD, National Cocoa and Coffee Board

Source Reuters

12 November 2009

The world's fifth largest cocoa producer - Cameroon - is expecting to boost its record 2008/2009 season output by a further 9% in the forthcoming 2009/2010 season at 229,000 tons.

At the same time, the Cameroon government is also carrying out a series of modernisation and industry support measures to improve the nation's cocoa quality with a view to secure a large production boost in the years to come.

In addition Cameroon has increased its presence in the international market as the country exported 178,592 tons of cocoa beans during the 2008/09 season, up 10% from the previous season.

Accounting for 2.8% of the country's total cocoa exports with 5,000 tons, GIC PPLAC LTD, a company headquartered in Mutengene, near Douala, is planning to play a key role in the growing Cameroon cocoa industry.

As an exporter and a producer, GIC PPLAC benefits from an established presence within the sector. The company owns 400 hectares of land on which it not only cultivates cocoa beans, but also maize, bananas and other fruits. With its current workforce of 215, GIC PPLAC also buys its cocoa from smaller holders. The company claims it owns the largest cocoa plantation in Cameroon and perhaps the largest in the whole of West and Central Africa.

More significantly, GIC PPLAC recently obtained its export license and exporters code from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, which enabled the company to sell beyond its local market and claim its 2.8% share of the cocoa export market.

The firm has already started to focus on strategies to grow that share.

"In 2009, as part of an effort to fight climatic change, GIC PPLAC planted 100,000 new high-yielding cocoa plants on its farm and managed to regenerate dead or dying plants. In addition, we installed 3 modern dryers, each with a 2-ton, which can reduce 12% of the moisture content to 8% in only 4 hours. For the future, we plan to continue our plantation expansion and continue to replace dead plants as well as acquire some large industrial dryers to help maximise production", stated Pastor Tchenke Nana Blaise, GIC PPLAC's Director of Services, Quality, Import-Export.

"Now that we have obtained our export license and exporters code, we are looking forward to working with the world's largest international buyers", added Blaise.

Blaise also commented: "There are about 15 other cocoa exporters in Cameroon but they do not represent a competitive threat to us as they are not producers, unlike GIC PPLAC".

The company will be boosting its annual production capacity and will be hoping to be able to cater for new customers during the next season and improve its 2008/2009 turnover of 5.5 billion CFA francs (approximately 12.8 million euro).

Just like its home nation, GIC PPLAC expects to benefit from the current global cocoa market scenario.

For instance, the current cocoa situation in the Ivory Coast (the world's largest cocoa producer) can be viewed as an opportunity for Cameroon and for the company, with proof coming from the price per kilo of cocoa in Cameroon, which has never been as high as it is at the moment, argues Blaise.

What's more the high global cocoa price in general is enabling GIC PPLAC to sell its cocoa to exporters at prices the company had never been able to obtain beforehand.

Besides the current market conditions, GIC PPLAC has other feathers in its cap.

In tandem with the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, the company is, along with other players, attempting to establish a cocoa producers' club with a view to maximise export quantities. However, this will be made possible as soon as an international buyer is found.

Besides, Blaise believes that his company is rather immune to the signs of "social unrest" in his country.

"We have never had to deal with strikes or armed robbery because we have taken preventive measures. We treat our personnel fairly and provide them with access to schools, medical centres. The GIC PPLAC worker's is also above the sector's average wage. We also have our own security service".

Blaise does admit though that his company could do with better performing lorries, better road infrastructure and improve transportation costs. However, the company is working towards a better delivery system and may soon obtain government subsidies to improve its overall infrastructure

Rwanda: Nespresso Eyes 80,000 Rainforest Alliance Coffee Farms by 2013

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Cocoa, Coffee, nestle, Rainforest Alliance, sustainable quality

Source: Reuters
10/11/2009

New York, Nov 10 - Nestle Nespresso aims to buy coffee from 80,000 Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by 2013, as the company takes steps toward ensuring its product's long-term availability and high quality, a company spokesman told Reuters.

Nespresso currently buys coffee from 25,000 farms which are part of its AAA Sustainable Quality Program, developed together with Rainforest Alliance, that will account for 40 percent of the total purchases in 2009.

By 2013, 80 percent of Nespresso's coffee purchases will be from AAA Program farms certified by Rainforest Alliance in Central America, South America, Africa and India.

"We have to more than triple the amount of farms," said Guillaume Le Cunff, International Marketing and Strategy director for Nestle Nespresso SA.

"We are convinced at Nespresso that creating long-term value for the farmers is definitely the best way to say we have a long-term supply of the highest quality coffee," Le Cunff said.

Le Cunff, who is based in Paudex, Switzerland, spoke to Reuters on the phone from Boston, at the Third Nestle Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Coffee Forum.

Nespresso sells coffee in packaged capsules that people make at home with machines that shoot hot water through the capsules to brew individual cups of espresso and coffee.

By 2013, 80 percent of Nespresso's coffee purchases will be from farms certified by Rainforest Alliance primarily in Central America and South America, as well as some in Africa and India, Le Cunff said.

Rainforest Alliance is a New York-based international, nonprofit conservation group that certifies farms that meet its criteria for economic, environmental and social sustainability.

The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program follows specific quality and sustainability guidelines in exchange for a premium price.

"We have to source the best of the best beans. We are looking for the 1 percent best beans in the world. We have to create value for the farmers because if not, we will not have the beans," Le Cunff said.

Nespresso pays at least 30 percent premium above the market level, said Karsten Ranitzsch, head of Green Coffee for Nespresso.

"We are buying very rare varieties and they, by definition, demand a premium," Ranitzsch said.

The company is looking at what it calls Real Farm Income, after the South American business school INCAE completed a study that looked at short-term economic barriers that kept farmers from investing in sustainable farming.

The study was commissioned by Nespresso and involved 510 farms in Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia and Costa Rica.

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