To ensure cocoa is no longer a "marginalized" commodity.

Soaring cocoa prices on the world market present a "golden" opportunity for Vietnamese agriculture. However, to prevent cocoa from remaining marginalized in the crop structure, the industry needs a new strategy: shifting from a linear production mindset to a circular economy model – where the beans, shells, pulp, and mucilage all become links in a green value chain.

Cocoa is an industrial crop that has been grown in Vietnam for half a century. However, to date, this industry has yet to find its rightful place in the strategic crop structure. After a period of rapid expansion in the 2000s, cocoa has fallen into decline, with its planted area continuously decreasing.

In Dak Lak – one of the former "cocoa capitals" – the cultivated area is now only about 1,400 hectares, nearly half the size it was during its peak.

Cocoa gardens are currently being harvested by farmers in Ea Na commune, Krong Ana district.

The problem lies not only in fluctuating prices, but more fundamentally in the linear production model: plant – harvest – sell. The entire production value is concentrated in the cocoa beans, while most by-products such as husks, pulp, and mucilage are left in the fields, wasting resources and creating pressure on agricultural waste disposal.

According to research results from the project "Circular Economy in Cocoa Production: From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar," funded by the European Union and the Helvetas organization, cocoa pods account for 60-70% of the fruit's weight and have a high nutritional content.

When processed using a bio-ensuring method, cocoa husks can replace 10-35% of the feed ration for pigs, cows, goats, etc., without affecting weight gain or animal health.

Experiments in Dak Lak have shown that a pig feed ration using 60% fermented cocoa pods reduces concentrated feed costs by 10-20% compared to the control group. This is not only a figure reflecting economic efficiency, but also demonstrates the renewed vitality of a value chain that seemed to have reached the end of its life cycle.

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Farmers in Ea Kar district are harvesting cocoa beans.

Beyond animal husbandry, cocoa by-products are gradually becoming inputs for many other production chains. The husks can be mixed to produce microbial organic fertilizer, biological bedding, and biochar; the fermented mucilage can be used to make wine or vinegar. Even cocoa pulp (the sweet core around the bean) can be used to produce nutritious beverages.

We cultivate cocoa but haven't paid enough attention to the accompanying ecosystem. Therefore, we need to build multi-tiered integrated models, from cocoa cultivation to livestock farming and byproduct recovery, then reinvesting back into the land. The coordination between crop cultivation, livestock farming, and processing is the core principle of the circular economy in agriculture."

Dr. Dang Ba Dan , Head of the National Agricultural Extension Center's Representative Office in South Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

Dr. Dang Ba Dan, Head of the National Agricultural Extension Center's representative office in South Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands, stated that we are facing a neglected resource. If we reorganize production, not only the beans, but the entire cocoa fruit can participate in a circular value chain. This would not only improve economic efficiency but also provide a solution to environmental problems in modern agriculture.

The current circular cocoa model is being piloted in a multi-sectoral linkage approach. In this linkage chain, the participation of cooperatives, businesses, farmers, and support organizations plays a key role. However, the biggest challenges remain outdated production practices, a lack of equipment for fermentation, mixing, and preserving by-products, and an unclear market for circular cocoa products. Therefore, the circular economy for cocoa requires a well-structured strategy, specific policies, and pioneering efforts from businesses and local authorities.

Mr. Nguyen Hac Hien, Head of the Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), believes that cocoa trees are currently facing a "golden" opportunity for restructuring, and circular economy in cocoa production is a long-term, comprehensive strategic direction. This is because cocoa trees can be linked with many other crops, livestock, and industries, forming a circular agricultural-industrial ecosystem. Research shows that cocoa products not only serve consumer needs but can also be applied in the production of civil materials, biological products, etc. This is a multi-sectoral development direction that ultimately supports cocoa cultivation – a truly closed-loop cycle.

According to Helvetas Vietnam, currently less than 30% of the domestic demand for processed cocoa is met by domestic supply. Businesses are willing to pay higher prices if the cocoa beans meet fermentation standards, are free of pesticide residues, and have transparent traceability. Therefore, Vietnam needs to re-plan cocoa growing areas, support farmers with technical expertise and credit to restore acreage. This will help ensure products have clear origins, serving as a "ticket" to penetrate demanding markets.

Most cocoa farmers have not yet utilized the by-products from the cocoa pods after bean separation for fermentation.

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However, the biggest obstacle currently is that cocoa trees have not yet been classified as priority industrial crops under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's plan due to their small scale and the lack of large-scale raw material areas. Therefore, support policies are still mainly integrated and lack a systematic approach. To develop the cocoa industry in a systematic way, a specific policy for cocoa is needed, clearly defined within the priority programs of the agricultural sector. Furthermore, science and technology play a crucial role because by-products are processed using microbial technology, bio-incineration, extraction, or fermentation. Therefore, investment in equipment and research tailored to each region and each production household is necessary.

Mr. Pham Van Luong, Director of Helvetas Vietnam, expressed his hope that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment would provide specific guidelines and policies to continue implementing the Circular Economy Project in cocoa production, ensuring increased income for farmers and businesses, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of the cocoa industry in Vietnam.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/tin-noi-bat/202506/de-ca-cao-khong-con-la-ke-ben-le-53c1439/