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They have since then launched a variety of their soaps blending natural ingredients such as shea butter businesses in Africa, Organic Trade & Investments has integrated new algorithms in its online platform to better

These are Natural or Alkalised Cocoa Powder, Natural Raw Cocoa Butter and Raw Wild Honey. Cocoa butter on the other hand contains vitamin E that maintains healthy skin and eyes and helps to boost Ingredients 1 cup OTI Raw Organic Cocoa Butter 1 cup OTI Natural Cocoa Powder ⅓ cup OTI Raw Wild Honey Alternately, you can slowly melt the butter in an oven-proof pan at 200 degrees. The cocoa butter rises to the surface and leaves white speckles on the surface.

OTI Organic Shea nut oil: This is the oil extracted from the shea nut and it has anti-inflammatory properties Shea Nut Oil is non-comedogenic. OTI Organic Black Soap: Black soap from OTI is made from the dry skin of cocoa pods, the bark of the shea INGREDIENTS 20 ml OTI Organic Coconut oil 20ml OTI Organic Shea Nut oil 1 bar of OTI Organic Black Soap Add about 15ml of OTI Shea Nut oil to the molten coconut. Stir till both mix-up.

All-natural organic mango butter is made from the pith of a mango and it is a highly recognised beauty Mango butter has been proven to deliver great health benefits to the skin and hair. Apply mango butter on the acne spots, blemishes or dark circles to complete the process. Organic Mango Butter – As a Natural Moisturizer and Nourisher for the Hair Mango butter has emollient To achieve this, melt two tablespoonsful each of mango butter, cocoa butter and avocado butter with one

This brief is designed to shed light on the key factors contributing to the global cocoa crisis, providing

IIn Ghana, the price of cocoa butter experienced a 300% increase, with the cost of a ton rising from

agriculture sector and focus more on growing ancient grains on a larger scale to avoid food crisis," she

For example, OTI exhibited its natural and organic products, such as African black soap, shea butter and cocoa butter, at the CAETE.

Cocoa cake is the dry, solid part of the cocoa bean that remains after the cocoa butter (the fat) is How do they transform this bitter and powdery substance into delicious and smooth chocolate products? White chocolate does not contain any cocoa cake, only cocoa butter and other ingredients. Cocoa cake can be mixed with cream, butter, nuts, fruits, spices, liqueurs, and other ingredients to Cocoa cake can be added to the batter or dough to give it a chocolate flavor and color.

While at work in Germany one day, she “realized how much chocolate was being consumed and how much money “That was when I decided to return to Ghana to try to make a difference,” she recounts. Using natural Ghana's premium quality cocoa beans and organically produced cocoa butter from Organic She explains that when she first started Ab Ovo Confectionery Limited, her company relied on CPC for world-class company to "produce and customize chocolates for over 100 bluechip companies in Ghana,” she

Bitter Kola, also referred to as bitter cola, is a plant native to Central and Western Africa. The History of Bitter Kola Bitter kola’s rich history intertwines with West African culture, trade, Bitter kola has an important cultural significance. Bitter Kola's Nutrients per Serving: While the FDA considers bitter kola safe for consumption, specific Bitter Kola's Preparation: Bitter kola can be eaten raw, similar to other nuts.

The cocoa sector significantly contributes to Ghana’s economy. The Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) plays a pivotal role by processing raw cocoa beans into semi-finished products, including chocolate bars and powder. In 2022, CPC’s revenue from cocoa reached $43.5 million. The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) registered over 10.2 billion Ghanaian cedis (GHS) from cocoa sales in 2020, equivalent to approximately $758.8 million USD. Cocoa’s contribution to Ghana’s GDP surpasses other agricultural sectors such as livestock, forestry, and fishing. Ghana, renowned as the second-largest global cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire, plays a pivotal role in shaping the cocoa market. However, several challenges persistently impact the industry. In this article, we delve into these challenges and propose strategies for bolstering cocoa production. Genesis of Cocoa Production in Ghana Cocoa cultivation in Ghana began in the late 19th century and was fostered by a blacksmith named Tetteh Quarshie. He returned from Fernando Po (now Bioko) island in Equatorial Guinea with cocoa beans and established the first cocoa farm in Akwapim Mampong in the Eastern Region. This marked the beginning of commercial cocoa cultivation in Ghana. Today, Ghana is the world's second-largest exporter of cocoa beans, after Ivory Coast. In the 2021/2022 crop season, Ghana produced an estimated 683 thousand tonnes of cocoa beans. However, only a fraction of these beans are processed locally. For instance, in the 2018/2019 crop year, Cargill Ghana Limited accounted for over 26% of the locally processed cocoa beans in Ghana. The majority of the beans are exported unprocessed. Regulation of the Cocoa Industry by COCOBOD The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is a key player in the cocoa industry. Established in 1947, it regulates who can purchase and export cocoa, and also has a significant role in pricing. COCOBOD is involved in all steps of cocoa production, from providing inputs to farmers, to regulating who can purchase and export cocoa. Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) are authorized to buy and export cocoa. One such company is Federated Commodities Limited (FEDCO), an indigenous LBC established in 1996. LBCs must meet certain criteria to obtain an export license from the Ghana Cocoa Board. The COCOBOD regulates the sector and determines the price it pays to cocoa farmers per ton. For instance, in April 2024, the COCOBOD announced a revision in the Producer Price of cocoa for the remainder of the 2023/24 crop year. This decision was made following consultations with stakeholders. Despite its efforts to develop the industry, Ghana still relies on Europe to price its cocoa products. This reliance has made the cocoa industry a bivalent sector, with success for its high quality but failure in terms of pricing autonomy. Challenges of Cocoa Production Cocoa production in Ghana faces several challenges that impact cocoa production costs. The high cost of production is a significant issue. These challenges are fuelled by the following elements: Inflation: Fluctuations in inflation rates directly affect input costs, including labor, fertilizers, and pesticides. Corruption: Addressing corruption is crucial for ensuring fair pricing and efficient supply chains. Intermittent Power Outages: Unreliable electricity supply disrupts processing and transportation, adding to production costs. Additionally, illegal mining activities since 2016 have contributed to the destruction of water bodies and cocoa farmlands, leading to a shortage of cocoa beans. These activities have resulted in large-scale crop losses and the evolution of new diseases and pests, affecting cocoa output and leading to inconsistent yields. The cocoa output for the 2023/24 season in Ghana is anticipated to be almost 40% below the target of 820,000 metric tons. This significant shortfall is attributed to factors such as strong seasonal winds, lack of rain, smuggling, damage caused by illegal gold mining, and the impact of the swollen shoot disease. This scarcity has had a profound effect on the cocoa industry, leading to supply chain disruptions and price surges. Cocoa Price Evolution The evolution of cocoa prices reflects global market dynamics, and efforts to mitigate inflation, corruption, and power outages are essential for maintaining competitiveness in the cocoa sector. Ghana has witnessed fluctuations in cocoa prices over the years. In 2016, cocoa prices surged to 12-year highs due to an El Niño weather event that caused widespread drought, significantly hampering global cocoa production. Since then, the Ghanaian government has consistently prioritized the welfare of cocoa farmers. Notably, the producer price of cocoa has experienced remarkable growth, increasing by an impressive 336%. Specifically, it rose from GH¢7,600 ($514.00) per tonne during the 2016/17 season to the current unprecedented level. In the 2023/24 season, the producer price of cocoa was further raised by 58.26%, reaching GH¢33,120.00 ($2,238.91) per tonne. These annual fluctuations in cocoa prices are influenced by global market dynamics and production conditions. The cocoa market, globally, has witnessed significant fluctuations, with spot prices escalating from $2,467 per tonne in January 2023 to an excess of $12,000. This surge in prices is nearly unparalleled in the history of commodity markets. The cocoa bean scarcity has precipitated a significant shift in the chocolate market. To mitigate the impact of escalating costs, manufacturers have adopted strategies such as reducing the size of chocolate bars, increasing prices, and modifying recipes. Prominent Ghanaian cocoa processing enterprises, including Cargill Inc., Barry Callebaut, and Niche Cocoa Ghana Ltd., have been compelled to suspend operations intermittently over recent months due to this shortage. For example, the state-owned Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) has been functioning at a mere 20% of its capacity. It’s difficult to predict when the situation will improve. It’s clear that a multi-faceted approach addressing all these issues will be needed to resolve the crisis. However, the exact timeline for this is uncertain and will depend on various factors including policy changes, market conditions, and environmental factors. Future of Cocoa Producers and Exporters Despite these challenges, the future of cocoa producers and exporters in Ghana holds potential. Cocoa’s share of agricultural GDP has been increasing rapidly, and existing yield gaps and the prospects of continued high world commodity prices suggest further growth potential. However, the industry needs to address the current challenges to fully realize this potential. Strategies could include improving farming practices, investing in processing facilities, and implementing policies to curb illegal mining activities. There is indeed a supply crunch. According to reliable sources, Ghana’s Cocoa Board is negotiating to postpone the shipment of 150,000 to 250,000 metric tonnes until next season due to a lack of beans. Ghana’s cocoa industry stands at a crossroads. By addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities, it can not only survive but thrive. A collaborative effort involving government, industry stakeholders, and farmers will pave the way for a resilient and prosperous cocoa sector.