The Samoa Koko Industry Association believes the future of Koko Samoa lies in building a sustainable export industry, catering to the demand for fine flavor cocoa beans in the Pacific Rim and beyond.
Currently, mainstream New Zealand and Australian chocolate manufacturers, as well as boutique chocolatiers, struggle to secure enough regular and consistent supplies of Samoan cocoa.
Samoa Observer reports SKIA has been pushing for more young farmers to take up planting the crop for export and conducting various training workshops, specifically targeting youth and women koko farmers.
Project Officer for SKIA Pelenise Lima said there are a few farmers already exporting out of the country, but keeping up with demand remains a problem.
“We are trying to find more opportunities overseas but we feel that we should increase the production of cocoa first before we can supply the big companies overseas.”
