The cocoa industry faces several limitations and challenges nowadays, which is why it should start looking for solutions to improve its shortcomings. Luckily, technology can help businesses in the cocoa industry face some of their limitations and reshape their operations. In this way, they can boost both the sustainability and quality of the products created using cocoa.
The most common challenges in the cocoa industry now are an aging farming population, extreme weather, and regulatory pressure, which can limit the industry’s evolution. If these challenges are not solved on time, the cocoa industry can also face the same results that occurred in the past. Some of the effects of these shortcomings are a diminished availability of quality cocoa ingredients, a growing need, and more concerns for chocolate businesses and customers at large.
In this article, we will explore the most pressing issues in the cocoa industry and the technology that can solve them. Keep reading.
The most pressing issues in the cocoa industry
Labour shortages
The cocoa industry worldwide is dealing with labour shortages and ageing farming populations because young generations are looking for better opportunities in urban areas. So, the only ones who remain to handle cocoa production are ageing employees. Unfortunately, a labour shortage will always be synonymous with low production, and cocoa businesses might not have the best ways to achieve success.
Low yields
Unfortunately, until the cocoa trees become fully grown, they lose a high percentage of their pods, which results in low yields. Over the years, the cocoa industry has been unable to meet global demand, which is why the price of cocoa has skyrocketed lately.
Weather challenges
The weather has a direct impact on cocoa production, as cocoa is sensitive to many weather conditions, including rainfall inconsistencies, temperature changes, and extreme weather events. Additionally, another important problem that has impacted cocoa production is climate change, which has opened the door to high temperatures, long dry seasons, and more flooding. All of them can reduce yields and can also lead to more diseases in cocoa.
Technologies that can reshape operations in the cocoa industry
Improved Fermentation Techniques
Technology can improve the fermentation process from cocoa processing, which plays an important role in the end product, as it impacts the colour, aroma, texture, and flavour of chocolate. Especially nowadays, when customers want to buy delicious chocolate, it has become more critical than ever to use high-quality cocoa ingredients. Technology can help fermentation in the cocoa industry, as it keeps a better track of everything that occurs in this phase and ensures things are made in the right way.
For example, machinery can keep track of the duration of fermentations, which will highly impact the taste of chocolate. If the fermentation duration is too short, this can make chocolate raw-flavoured and acidic, and chocolate won’t melt deliciously in your mouth, as you know. After fermentation, cocoa goes through other processes, such as grinding, drying, roasting, and conching, which result in the formation of chocolate. However, as fermentation is the first step, if it is not done properly, then the final product won’t have a great taste.
Research agri science and technology
If companies in the cocoa industry want to improve their farming productivity, they must understand their plants and then look for technologies to help the crops thrive. Ofi is a reliable supplier of cocoa that has understood the importance of working together with farmers and empowering them with the information they need to benefit from more efficient food crops while decreasing the negative impact on the environment.
With the help of technology, we have information at our fingertips, and it would be a pity not to use it in our favour.
Cocoa farm irrigation
Unfortunately, in traditional cocoa farming, farmers only watered their crops when they had lucky weather conditions and there was rain. However, especially in regions where it doesn’t rain constantly, this has become a problematic issue that can directly impact the production of cocoa. Additionally, in rain-fed agriculture, cocoa beans can be harvested in only two productions per year. However, things can be different with the help of irrigation, which could mean that cocoa can be harvested all year long.
Cocoa farm irrigation can bring many advantages; among the most important ones are better quality and enhanced yield production. If cocoa trees have the proper irrigation when they develop their fruits and flowers, then this can positively impact the overall production. Additionally, with the right quantity of water, cocoa trees will grow properly, which will result in high-quality cocoa beans. Furthermore, proper irrigation reduces pests and leads to better disease management.
Blockchain technology
Blockchain technology can be one suitable solution in the cocoa industry, especially as it offers better transparency and traceability. Over the years, there have been cases when customers have wondered about the supply chain transparency or the ethical sourcing present in the cocoa sector. Now, companies can have what they need to prove they are considering ethical and transparent ways to produce cocoa, thanks to blockchain. Blockchain is a digital ledger that offers the possibility for anyone to check the journey of cocoa from farms to the final product, which can be either a delicious chocolate bar or a Chocolate bunny for Easter.
Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Automation can remove repetitive tasks for workers worldwide in the cocoa sector. It can be integrated into many operations in the cocoa industry, including grading and sorting. This is even more necessary when customers are willing to pay more for high-quality chocolate and can’t tolerate errors. But with the help of automation machines and AI, the cocoa industry can reduce the chances of errors and streamline processes. These machines can group beans based on their colour, size, and other characteristics.
The bottom line
The cocoa industry must address its shortcomings and find new ways to achieve success and improve its offerings. In a digitalized world, technology can greatly help companies in the cocoa industry enhance their services.
