Côte d’Ivoire
San Pedro & Abidjan sourcing zones
Primary volume origin. Main crop Oct–Mar, mid crop Apr–Sep.
Cocoa programme
Theobroma cacaoWest African origin cocoa for grinders, processors, and chocolate manufacturers.
Main-crop and mid-crop cocoa beans sourced from disciplined supply networks in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
- Origin countries
- 0
- Harvest windows
- 0
Named origins, documented grades, one working desk.
Programme overview
Cocoa is our deepest sourcing programme. We work with licensed buying companies, cooperatives, and regional suppliers in the four dominant West African origin countries to secure main-crop and mid-crop volumes for grinders, processors, and chocolate manufacturers.
Lots are qualified on bean count, moisture, defect rates, and documented farm-gate traceability. Export is coordinated through established forwarders in Abidjan, Tema, and Apapa with documentation prepared for EU, North American, and Middle Eastern buyer terms.
Same rhythm as every other crop — only the calendar and the grading language change.
Operating notes
- We only work with licensed exporters and cooperatives with documented farm-gate traceability.
- Every lot is reviewed against ICCO quality parameters before we commit to buyer terms.
- EUDR geolocation files are prepared in parallel with commercial docs for EU-bound volumes.
Origins
Where the cocoa comes from.
Named lanes, not abstract map pins.
Each origin is an active sourcing lane with named suppliers, grading discipline, and documented export readiness.
Ghana
Western, Ashanti, and Eastern regions
Licensed buying companies with recognised grading discipline.
Nigeria
Ondo, Cross River, and Osun states
Recovering export quality; careful lot qualification required.
Cameroon
Southwest and Centre regions
Strong flavour profile; complementary to Ivorian main crop.
Harvest window
- Main crop: October to March
- Mid crop: April to September
Price drivers
- ICE London futures (LCC) and ICE US (CC) differentials
- Main / mid crop supply balance
- Origin country export taxes and LID schedules
- Currency volatility in XOF, GHS, and NGN
The map is a handshake, not a pin.
Grading & load
How the lot is specified,
how it rides the vessel.
Grading & quality
- Grade 1 (max 3% mouldy, 3% slaty)
- Grade 2
- Fair Average Quality
Moisture
7.0% – 8.0% max
Packing & load
- Jute bag — 60 kg / 65 kgICCO-compliant food-grade liners
- Bulk (liner-loaded) — 23 – 25 MT / FCLFor integrated grinders
Container fit
18 – 25 MT per 20ft container depending on bag or bulk load
A grade is a promise, enforced by the independent surveyor.
Where it lands
The buyers on the other end.
The ports that receive them.
Primary buyers
- Grinders and processors
- Chocolate and confectionery manufacturers
- Cocoa butter and liquor refiners
- Speciality origin programmes
Destination markets
AntwerpAmsterdamHamburgBaltimoreNew YorkJebel AliSingapore
Incoterms
FOBCFRCIFDAP (selective)
A real port, a real buyer, a real document pack.
Documentation & compliance
The paperwork
a buyer can pick up and trust.
Documents issued
- Certificate of Origin
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Quality & Weight Certificate (SGS / Cotecna / Bureau Veritas)
- Bill of Lading
- Fumigation Certificate
- Commercial Invoice and Packing List
- EUDR due-diligence statement (EU buyers)
Certifications supported
- Fairtrade
- Rainforest Alliance / UTZ
- Organic (EU / NOP)
- EUDR-aligned traceability
Quality checks
- Pre-shipment cut-test on 300-bean sample
- Moisture and count verification at warehouse
- Independent surveyor supervision at load port
Evidence, not claims.
Next step
Share a spec.
We come back with origin, price, and paperwork.
Other programmes
Coffee
Open programme →Washed Arabica and screen-graded Robusta from East African origins.
Sesame
Open programme →Hulled and natural sesame seed sourced for oil crushers, tahini producers, and bakery ingredient buyers.
Cashew
Open programme →