why organic cocoa?
why cocoa?
For Liberia, cocoa has clear export advantages over other food-crops.
Not consumed locally
A high-value cash crop compared to most other food crops
Robust crop easily transportable by road with little loss or damage
Relies on low-cost labor-intensive farming
A major cash crop in neighboring West African countries waiting to be developed in Liberia
Strong global demand for new sources of organic cocoa that Liberia can target
Liberia’s tropical climate, plentiful rainfall and the rich fertile land
is ideal for cocoa, which is currently grown in Liberia on small acreage and exported through myriad traders without adequate quality control. Our company will be the first large-scale, U.S.-based company to grow certified organic cocoa in Liberia adhering to strict international standards.
why organic?
The demand for organic cocoa is expanding, particularly in European markets that import the largest amount of cocoa beans globally. One glaring indicator tells it all: 53 percent of all chocolate sold in French grocery stores is organic! If the current sources for organic cocoa are not increased, burgeoning demand will soon outpace supply.
In an ironic twist, Liberia’s low level of agricultural development and farmers’ lack of access to chemical inputs, has left alone large expanses of land that experts refer to as “organic by default.” For instance, our 50-acre tract has never been farmed, according to our assessments, using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In fact, very little farming has even occurred on the land.
Other reasons going organic is ideal for Liberia:
Neighboring Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana produce on average 70 percent of the world’s cocoa –nearly all non-organic. These exporters cannot quickly convert agriculturally to organic farming nor develop premium quality cocoa to meet future global demand. The gap is for Liberia to fill.
Next door Sierra Leone, with similar tropical climate and soil conditions, has become Africa’s leader in introducing certified organic cocoa exports – in just a few years. Why not Liberia?
Organic cocoa brings a significantly higher price on the global market, even more so if the quality (graded primarily by taste) is premium.
Agricultural inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, etc.) are insignificant resulting in higher profit margins.
keep in touch
keep in touch
We operate internationally, so feel free to reach out to us from your location. If you’d like to do business with us, just send us a message.
Contact Details
Contact Details
Phone
(202) 301-5900
Ext 1 for Joseph Urey
Ext 2 for Andrew Gilboy
Fax
Address
Liberia Organic Cocoa & Agricultural Company
549 Brummel Court NW
Washington, DC 20012
