Africa: The Hidden Engine Behind Your Chocolate Fix

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Did you know that 70% of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries — Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon? Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana alone supply over half of the world’s cocoa, yet their names are rarely found on the chocolate labels of global brands.

Spotlight on Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire: The Real Chocolate Powerhouses

Ghana is the world's second-largest cocoa producer, just behind Côte d'Ivoire. Despite this, much of the chocolate labeled as "Belgian" or "Swiss" relies on raw cocoa from these countries. For example, Belgium, often celebrated as the “Chocolate Capital of the World,” sources much of its cocoa from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to fuel its $2 billion chocolate industry — a stark contrast to the significantly lower revenue retained by African producers. This cocoa paradox underscores the role Africa plays in the supply chain and raises questions about fair distribution of the industry’s profits.

African cocoa producers are beginning to push for greater recognition and value within this industry, with some emerging local chocolate brands dedicated to making a global name for African-grown chocolate.

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