Who Produces the Most Cocoa in the World?

When you unwrap a bar of chocolate, chances are it started its journey thousands of miles away in the heart of West Africa. But, do you know that Côte d’Ivoire better known as Ivory Coast, is the undisputed leader in cocoa production.

Every year, this country alone grows over 2 million tonnes of cocoa beans, making it the backbone of the world’s chocolate industry.

Why Côte d’Ivoire stands out

Located along Africa’s Atlantic coast, Côte d’Ivoire enjoys a tropical climate that’s perfect for cocoa farming. But it’s not just the weather, it’s the people. Over 5 million Ivorians are involved in the cocoa industry, most of them smallholder farmers working on family-owned plots of land. 

These farmers tend their crops under the forest canopy, harvesting the pods that contain the cocoa beans we eventually eat as chocolate.

In 2024, Côte d’Ivoire produced around 2.2 million metric tonnes of cocoa beans roughly 40% of the world’s supply. 

The country’s beans are exported to chocolate manufacturers across Europe, North America, and Asia, where they’re turned into cocoa powder, butter, and of course, chocolate bars.

The other Cocoa giants

While Côte d’Ivoire leads the pack, several other nations play crucial roles in feeding the global appetite for chocolate:

• Ghana
  Just next door, Ghana grows about 1.1 million tonnes annually. Its cocoa beans are prized for their high quality and are often used in premium chocolate products. Cocoa is a major economic driver in Ghana, second only to gold.
  
• Indonesia
  The largest cocoa producer outside of Africa, Indonesia churns out roughly 700,000 tonnes a year. Most of the country’s production is concentrated in Sulawesi and Sumatra. Unlike Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia also exports semi-processed cocoa goods.
  
• Nigeria
  Producing about 300,000 tonnes annually, Nigeria has been working to improve its cocoa sector by supporting better farming practices and encouraging local processing to boost the industry’s value.
  
• Ecuador
  Ecuador is South America’s cocoa jewel, with about 300,000 tonnes of output. Its beans are known for their fine flavor, often sought after by artisanal and high-end chocolate makers.
  

Together, these five countries dominate the cocoa trade. But the story doesn’t end there.

Beyond the Top 5

Countries like Cameroon, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic also have vibrant cocoa industries. 

While they don’t match the output of the top producers, they contribute unique flavors and varieties that enrich the global chocolate experience.

How Cocoa is more than just a crop

Cocoa isn’t just an agricultural product, it’s an ecosystem, a livelihood, and a global commodity with deep cultural significance. Here are a few fascinating facts about it:

• A Gift from the Gods
  The cocoa tree’s scientific name, Theobroma cacao, literally means “food of the gods.”
  
• A Long-Term Commitment
  A cocoa tree takes 3 to 5 years before it begins bearing fruit and can continue producing pods for decades.
  
• Labor of Love
  It takes roughly 400 cocoa beans to produce a single pound of chocolate.
  
• Fragile Yet Essential
  Cocoa farming is highly sensitive to changes in climate. Drought and rising temperatures pose serious threats to production.
  
• Africa’s Cocoa Belt
  West African nations, especially Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon, account for over 70% of the world’s cocoa supply.