Despite fears of a potential shortage of cocoa by 2020 prevailing globally, India’s cocoa cultivation is rising.
In terms of both the area available for cultivation and the quantity India’s cocoa production is witnessing an increase. This fact was stated by the Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, which is under the ministry of agriculture.
The quality of Indian cocoa is on par with that produced in other countries, but the current yield remains inadequate, and hardly meets less than 50 per cent of the demand.
Thus, increasing the import of cocoa in the nation.
Global market leaders fear that the rising demand and the declining production could create a huge cocoa deficit in the future. Leading chocolate makers are already running sustainable production campaigns to ensure consistent output and quality. The deficiency in the cocoa supply could increase the chocolate prices, making it a luxury item.
R Jnanadevan, deputy director (marketing), Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, said, “The cultivation of cocoa is gaining momentum in India. The average productivity of cocoa in India is 450kg per hectare. The estimated demand of the chocolate and confectionery industry in India is around 35,000 metric tonnes of dry beans per year. However, the availability is about 15,133 metric tonnes which is less than half but with the use of new farming patterns and better techniques the production will increase largely.”
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are the major cocoa-growing states. The quality of cocoa beans produced in India is reportedly on par with that of those produced in other major cocoa-growing countries.
