Global crisis in cocoa production opens doors

The global cocoa shortage, driven by climate issues, virus infestations, and aging crops in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, has driven raw material prices up by as much as 66% in the last quarter of 2024, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). This scenario creates a unique opportunity for Brazil to regain its leadership in production, supported by technologies such as localized irrigation, which allow for efficient management even in hot and dry regions. In Ceará, projects initiated in 2010 have shown that cocoa can adapt to full sun conditions with drip irrigation. Young plants receive between 2 and 5 liters per day, while adult trees need 20 to 40 liters, allowing for productivity of up to 2,000 kg/ha/year, almost four times higher than the average of many African countries. Fertigation also ensures adequate absorption of micronutrients, increasing the uniformity of the crops. The Ceará project, led by Diógenes Sarmento, has consolidated local production with clones ...