Top 10 World's Biggest Cocoa Bean-Producing Countries
Top 10 World's Biggest Cocoa Bean-Producing Countries
10 World's Biggest Cocoa
Bean-Producing Countries-There are 10 World’s Biggest Cocoa
Bean Producing Countries According to Data released by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) / World Food and Agriculture Agency of the United Nations
(UN) in 2026. So far, cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is one of the world’s
important trees because processed seeds or beans of this plant can be processed
into chocolate which is in demand by many people from all over the world.
Historically, the cacao plant / Theobroma
cacao is the tree originating from South America. Empirically, the
name of “Theobroma” comes from Greek which means “food of the gods,”
while “Cacao” comes from the Mesoamerican language which describes
the bean of the cocoa tree. Taxonomically, this plant is one of the
Malvaceae plant family. Basically, it has close relation with another species
durian (Durio zibethinus), Hibiscus cannabinus, cotton (Gossypium
hirsutum), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus).
In terms of species
diversity, there are several types of cocoa plants that are widely grown in the
world, namely Criollo, Forastero, nacional, and Trinitario Cocoa (Criollo
and Forastero crosses). Until now, many countries in the world are
cultivating this plant because of the increasing demand from year to year,
especially for the world’s cocoa needs. Commonly, based on Worldwide databases,
the world production of Cocoa has relatively increased from 1961 to 2024. Statistically,
in the year of 1961, the world production of Cocoa beans reached 1.8 million
tons with harvested areas around 4.4 million hectares (ha). Furthermore, after
more than 45 years, precisely in 2024, the world’s production of cocoa beans
increased to 5.2 million tons with harvested areas around 11 million hectares
(ha).
The World’s Production and Harvested Areas of Cocoa Beans From 1961 to 2024
|
Years |
World's Area Harvested
of Cocoa Trees |
World's Production of
Cocoa Beans |
|
(Hectare (Ha)) |
(Tons) |
|
|
1961 |
4,403,381 |
1,186,344 |
|
1962 |
4,468,672 |
1,213,517 |
|
1963 |
4,515,935 |
1,280,491 |
|
1964 |
4,544,137 |
1,544,590 |
|
1965 |
4,591,284 |
1,229,159 |
|
1966 |
4,076,650 |
1,344,376 |
|
1967 |
4,220,776 |
1,390,511 |
|
1968 |
4,079,239 |
1,246,581 |
|
1969 |
4,260,037 |
1,418,863 |
|
1970 |
4,358,444 |
1,543,399 |
|
1971 |
4,423,250 |
1,638,853 |
|
1972 |
4,299,294 |
1,510,723 |
|
1973 |
4,316,614 |
1,402,063 |
|
1974 |
4,398,742 |
1,556,439 |
|
1975 |
4,360,617 |
1,561,625 |
|
1976 |
4,309,551 |
1,366,511 |
|
1977 |
4,436,702 |
1,452,505 |
|
1978 |
4,581,485 |
1,495,374 |
|
1979 |
4,632,686 |
1,659,869 |
|
1980 |
4,740,285 |
1,670,637 |
|
1981 |
4,848,246 |
1,735,254 |
|
1982 |
4,678,307 |
1,615,319 |
|
1983 |
4,658,864 |
1,604,641 |
|
1984 |
4,768,084 |
1,810,579 |
|
1985 |
5,045,942 |
2,013,982 |
|
1986 |
5,247,548 |
2,118,377 |
|
1987 |
5,274,994 |
2,055,901 |
|
1988 |
5,655,093 |
2,563,305 |
|
1989 |
5,514,886 |
2,640,977 |
|
1990 |
5,721,260 |
2,532,122 |
|
1991 |
5,654,464 |
2,521,946 |
|
1992 |
5,726,224 |
2,677,031 |
|
1993 |
5,675,475 |
2,672,284 |
|
1994 |
5,762,503 |
2,671,269 |
|
1995 |
6,556,125 |
2,985,765 |
|
1996 |
6,652,958 |
3,237,671 |
|
1997 |
6,435,944 |
3,017,083 |
|
1998 |
6,672,749 |
3,302,840 |
|
1999 |
6,862,087 |
2,975,444 |
|
2000 |
7,613,597 |
3,338,447 |
|
2001 |
7,149,273 |
3,222,354 |
|
2002 |
7,013,879 |
3,298,178 |
|
2003 |
7,693,380 |
3,705,145 |
|
2004 |
8,514,052 |
4,069,753 |
|
2005 |
8,706,713 |
4,043,868 |
|
2006 |
8,514,758 |
4,299,922 |
|
2007 |
8,644,002 |
3,898,910 |
|
2008 |
9,561,187 |
4,265,984 |
|
2009 |
9,437,648 |
4,211,455 |
|
2010 |
9,592,214 |
4,328,770 |
|
2011 |
10,252,360 |
4,553,618 |
|
2012 |
10,313,477 |
4,613,755 |
|
2013 |
10,177,105 |
4,486,395 |
|
2014 |
10,577,940 |
4,742,114 |
|
2015 |
10,957,003 |
4,817,236 |
|
2016 |
11,030,559 |
4,777,619 |
|
2017 |
11,499,069 |
5,235,269 |
|
2018 |
11,410,703 |
5,505,867 |
|
2019 |
11,351,146 |
5,520,075 |
|
2020 |
11,684,060 |
5,683,749 |
|
2021 |
11,943,200 |
5,771,233 |
|
2022 |
11,718,621 |
5,622,906 |
|
2023 |
10,763,237 |
5,123,486 |
|
2024 |
11,009,545 |
5,233,245 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Statistically, based on
continent regions, the main area of cocoa beans production locates in Africa.
Basically, Africa regions generated 3.4 million tons of cocoa beans, followed
by America region with production around 1 million tons, and Asia with 677
thousand tons.
The World’s Production of Cocoa Beans Based on Continent in 2024
|
Continent |
Production of Cocoa
Beans in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
3,424,758 |
|
Americas |
1,079,730 |
|
Asia |
677,328 |
|
Oceania |
51,430 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Based on the country
regions, The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
issued a ranking of the world’s biggest cocoa bean producing countries in 2024.
Here is the list of that rank.
Table Rank of Top 10 World’s Biggest Cocoa Bean-Producing Countries in 2024
|
Ranks |
Top Country Producers |
Production of Cocoa
Beans in 2024 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
1,890,442 |
|
2 |
Indonesia |
632,702 |
|
3 |
Ghana |
530,000 |
|
4 |
Ecuador |
403,699 |
|
5 |
Nigeria |
350,000 |
|
6 |
Cameroon |
320,000 |
|
7 |
Brazil |
297,509 |
|
8 |
Peru |
157,253 |
|
9 |
Sierra Leone |
93,750 |
|
10 |
Colombia |
67,678 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Cocoa Bean Producing Countries in 2024
1. Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire still became
World’s Biggest Cocoa Bean Producing Country. In 2024, based on data from the
Food and Agriculture (FAO) publication, seed production reached 1.89 million
tons. This production certainly supplies more than 30% of the world’s cocoa.
Many of the world’s major chocolate companies buy Côte d’Ivoire chocolate
such as Cadbury, Hershey Company, and Nestle.
These companies buy the country’s chocolate with a contract system (futures) on
the Euronext Exchange, Europe. The primary areas Cocoa production is in
the Nawa region with, Tonkpi, Guemon, Cavally, Gbôkle, Gôh,
Lôh-Djiboua, Indenie-Djuablin, Haut-Sassandra, San Pedro and Marahoue.
Nearly 80% of farmers’ cocoa plantations are in forest zones, which are
generally located in the southeast, south-west, and center-west areas. Most of
the cocoa farmers in this country have land with an area of 1-3 hectares.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 2nd
World’s biggest cocoa bean-producing country. In 2024, production reached 632
thousand tons. Mostly, more than 90% of cocoa plantations are managed by
farmers with an area of 0.5-1 hectares. In Indonesia, the total number of cocoa
plantations is 1.6 million hectares.
In Indonesia, the main
area of cocoa production is on the island of Sulawesi, namely in the provinces
of Central, West, South, and Southeast Sulawesi. due to huge production of
cocoa beans, Indonesia also exported its production to foreign countries such
as Malaysia, the United States, India, and China in the form of Cocoa butter,
fat and oil, Cocoa Paste, and cocoa beans.
3. Ghana
Ghana is the 3rd
world’s biggest cocoa bean-producing country. Its production in 2024 reached 530
thousand tons. Initially, the world’s largest cocoa producer was Ghana, but
since the 1970s, Côte d’Ivoire has succeeded in replacing Ghana as the world’s
largest cocoa producer.
Ghana’s cocoa production
is cultivated in forested areas and the Cocoa’s main is in Ghana locate in Ashanti,
Brong-Ahafo, Central Region, Eastern Region, Western Region, and Volta. In
the system of commerce and trade, the Government of Ghana established the Ghana
Cocoa Board (Cocobod), which is a government institution that aims to protect
farmers from fluctuations in market prices.
4. Ecuador
Ecuador is the next 4th world’s
biggest cocoa-producing country. In 2024, the production of cocoa beans in this
country reaches 403 thousand tons. Geographically, In Ecuador, cocoa bean
production is concentrated in the Manabí, Los Ríos, and Guayas provinces, and
accounts for about 80 percent of overall production. In 2015, the Planted cocoa
area is estimated at 565,000 hectares. Due to their huge production, Ecuador
also exported cocoa production to other countries. It is estimated that more
than 100 thousand tons are exported to foreign countries such as cocoa paste,
butter, and others.
5. Nigeria
Nigeria is the world’s 5th
World’s Biggest Cocoa Bean Producing Country. In 2024, production was 350
thousand tons. Cocoa cultivation in this country started in 1880 where a cocoa
plantation was established in Lagos and later, several plantations were
established in Agege and Ota and spread to several states in Nigeria. Until now
after several centuries, the main states of cocoa cultivation are in
the states of Ondo, Cross River, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Delta,
Osun, and Oyo. Agronomically, in Nigeria, in social aspect, the cocoa
cultivation is dominated by small-scale farmers who manage crops with an area
of about 2 hectares.
6. Cameroon
Cameroon is the 6th world’s
biggest cocoa bean-producing country. In 2024, the national production of cocoa
beans from Cameroon reached 320 thousand tons. In this country, cocoa was
introduced in 1892 in the coastal areas of Cameroon and has grown to this day. Geographically,
in terms of cocoa plantation area, about 50% of cocoa in this country comes
from the Southwest region of Cameroon, 35% comes from the Central Region, and
15% from the South region. In this country, cacao crops are intercropped with other
plants, namely coffee, banana, and maize crops to increase land productivity.
7. Brazil
Brazil is the 7th World’s Biggest Cocoa
Bean Producing Country. In 2024, total cocoa bean production reach 297 thousand
tons with more than 580 thousand hectares of cocoa plantation in Brazil.
Geographically, in terms of cocoa plantation area in Brazil, Southern of
Bahia state has the biggest cacao plantation area in Brazil than other state
which account for 55 % of the Brazil’s cocoa production, followed by Pará
(39%), Rondônia (2%), Espírito Santo (2 %), and Amazonas (1.7%).
8. Peru
Peru is the 8th World’s
Biggest Cocoa Bean Producing Country. In 2024, total cocoa bean production reached
157 thousand tons. Geographically, there are several regions of cocoa
production in Peru, and these areas include Cusco with a 33.1% share of
the total cocoa production, Ayacucho (22.3%), Amazonas (12.6%), and Junín (9.9
%).
9. Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone is the 9th World’s Biggest Cocoa Bean
Producing Country. In 2024, total cocoa bean production reached 93 thousand
tons. Geographically, the main plantation areas of Theobroma cacao in Sierra
Leone located in the Eastern region which located in Kailahun District
accounts for about 114,125 ha, followed by Kenema District (58,086 ha)
and Kono District (43,232 ha). Furthermore, Bo District also has
with an area of cacao plantation around 11,715 ha (Statistics Sierra Leone,
2017).
10. Colombia
Columbia is the 10th World’s Biggest Cocoa
Bean Producing Country. In 2022, total cocoa bean production reach 62 thousand
tons. Geographically, there are the main regions of cocoa plantation in this
country. The area with biggest cocoa plantations is Santander, Antioquia,
Arauca, and Huia. Santander contributes 38% of cocoa Production, followed by
Antioquia with 8,9% of cocoa production, Arauca with 8,3 % of production, and
huia with8% of cocoa production.
The Table Rank of 10 World's
Biggest Cocoa Bean-Producing Countries in 2024
The Histogram Rank of 10 World's
Biggest Cocoa Bean-Producing Countries in 2024
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