Farmers from the ABOCFA Ghana Coop enjoy chocolate made from their cacao.

HARVESTING SEASON

It’s cacao harvesting time in Ghana and our cocoa farming partners from ABOCFA Cooperative are looking forward to another strong season’s yield. On one of ABOCFA’s many farming plots, Ivas, the farm manager, leads his team in cracking open the harvested cacao pods to get the cacao fruit ready to be fermented.

A TASTE OF THEIR OWN FRUITS

Not only are farmers processing cacao today, they’re also tasting Moka Origins chocolate that was made from their cocoa beans! ABOCFA staff and farmers gave a thumbs up for the chocolate but especially loved the Ghanaian representation on the front of each bar’s packaging.

Just as it’s important for our customers and team in the U.S. to understand cacao as a crop and all that goes into producing high quality cocoa beans, it’s also important for our farm partners in Ghana to taste, experience, and understand that their efforts are essential to making such a high-quality end product. It really brings the entire process of crafting chocolate full circle and keeps our mission to deliver positive impact for farmers first.

GROWING CACAO THAT DOES GOOD

Producing chocolate like this is truly a labor of love. Although changing weather patterns in Ghana has delayed the harvesting season by about a month, the team is hopeful for just as fruitful of a harvest as any other year. John, ABOCFA’s Vice President, said, “I wanted to promise our clients that this year our quality will be the best.” A focus on quality cocoa means that farmers earn more for their beans which naturally leads to a positive impact on quality of life. John goes on to share, “My favorite thing about cocoa farming is it helps me with money to look after my four girls and to do my projects.”

CHANGING THE CACAO STANDARD

ABOCFA (or Aponoapono Biakoye Organic Cocoa Farmer Association) is is an organic and Fair Trade certified cooperative that is known for producing the highest quality and most transparently traded cocoa in South Eastern Ghana. Although Ghana is the 2nd largest cocoa exporter in the world, the majority of Ghanaian cocoa is untraceable and unethically sourced. ABOCFA is 1 of 4 cooperatives in Ghana to hold certifications and provide 100% traceable cocoa. Learn more about ABOCFA Coop here.