The cocoa market is wide open.

With support from international projects and a circular production model, cocoa cultivation is experiencing a strong resurgence in Lam Dong province, opening up opportunities for sustainable development for farmers and deeper integration into the global value chain.

The people of Krông Nô commune, Lâm Đồng province, are overjoyed as their cocoa crop is bountiful and prices are high.

Lam Dong province is pioneering the application of the circular economy model in cocoa production. The "From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar" project, funded by the European Union (EU) from 2022 to 2026, is contributing to changing the face of the cocoa industry in the Central Highlands provinces, including Lam Dong. More than 1,160 farmers, cooperative officials, and businesses in the provinces have been trained in circular farming techniques. This has helped them improve crop yield and quality, and especially increase their income.

Global cocoa prices have surged in the last two years, at times reaching a record high of 260,000 VND/kg of beans, 2-3 times higher than in previous years, prompting people in Lam Dong province to return to investing in this crop. On average, each hectare yields a profit of approximately 200 million VND per year for growers.

Krong No Agricultural Cooperative, Krong No Commune, Lam Dong Province, dries cocoa beans in a greenhouse.

Mr. Cam Ba Bien, a farmer in Dak Wil commune who owns over 700 cocoa trees, had initially considered cutting down his plantation due to low cocoa prices. However, he has now decided to keep it and invest further thanks to the effectiveness of the circular economy model. “Pests and diseases are well managed, and the selling price is stable at 15,000 VND/kg for fresh fruit, and even up to 180,000 VND/kg for dried beans. This year, I expect to earn a profit of around 300 million VND from my cocoa plantation,” Mr. Bien shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa's family in Thuan An commune (Lam Dong province) is also achieving high efficiency thanks to safe and circular production on their 1.3-hectare plot. "Not only do we produce cocoa beans, but fresh cocoa pods are also processed into various beverages and high-quality handcrafted chocolates, creating high added value and diversifying our products. This gives us more confidence in investing in and caring for our crops," Ms. Hoa shared.

According to Mr. Bach Thanh Tuan, Director of the Community Development Center, the unit implementing the EU project, the project has so far built 6 demonstration models and issued a set of standard guidelines on circular cocoa production. The project provides technical support to businesses and cooperatives to convert traditional production models to circular ones.

The circular economy model allows for the utilization of every part of the cocoa tree, from the husk, leaves, and trunk to the beans. By-products that were previously considered waste are now recycled into organic fertilizer, animal feed, or even biochar, helping to improve soil, store carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. Vu Van Nghia, Director of Krong No Agricultural Cooperative in Krong No commune, said: “Currently, we have a closed-loop production system from cultivation to preliminary processing, processing into cocoa powder and chocolate, and supplying raw materials to large companies. Previously, farmers only harvested the seeds, which account for less than 10% of the fruit's weight, leaving the rest wasted and causing pollution. Now, thanks to the application of technology and a circular approach, we not only maximize the value of the crop but also reduce costs and contribute to environmental protection.” The cocoa market is expanding like never before, presenting a “golden” opportunity for farmers nationwide, including Lam Dong, to recover and develop sustainably.

Global demand for cocoa is increasing while production remains modest. According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), global cocoa production in 2024 is projected to be just over 4.3 million tons. The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, reports that although Vietnam's cocoa cultivation area has shrunk to just over 3,000 hectares with a dry bean production of approximately 3,500 tons per year, the quality remains high. In particular, the rare Trinitario variety has created a unique flavor, attracting international importers.

Lam Dong is a key cocoa-growing region in Vietnam, with an estimated 800 hectares. The province has a suitable climate for cocoa cultivation. The area under cocoa cultivation is currently expanding. People grow cocoa in concentrated areas or intercropped with other crops.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/thi-truong-ca-cao-rong-mo-382680.html