Seven cocoa cooperatives in Nicaragua have experienced significant growth over the past four years, increasing their exports by 48% in value and 37% in volume, as reported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Cosude). With 2,311 small producers and 1,254 members, mostly women, these cooperatives have strengthened their organizational structure, improved quality management, and secured direct access to new markets, including Japan. Their cocoa fetches prices that are 100% higher than the national average for organically certified cocoa. The cooperatives have also established an export association to meet the demand from international buyers and have secured financing from ethical banking organizations. The Cosude project aims to replicate this success across the Central American region.