Cocoa pods on tree.

The Country That Produces The Most Cocoa In The World

NEWS

By ELIAS NASH

Cacao trees.
Chocolate originates from cocoa beans, the fruit of cacao trees, which require hot temperatures, high humidity, and ample water — conditions found in a narrow equatorial belt.
A cocoa farmer working with cocoa fruit.
While the taste of cocoa varies by country, the industry is dominated by West Africa. The world’s leading cocoa-producing country by far is Côte d'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast).
Cacao pod with seeds.
According to Statista, Côte d'Ivoire produced 2.2 million tons of cocoa beans in 2022. This is nearly three times as much as the world’s second-largest producer, Ghana.
Cocoa powder in a wooden bowl with cocoa beans around.
As per Al Jazeera, the nation produces 45% of the world’s cocoa. Naturally, over a quarter of Côte d'Ivoire’s population relies on cocoa for a living.
Women harvesting cocoa.
Unfortunately, farmers in Côte d'Ivoire reap just a tiny fraction of the chocolate industry’s colossal profits and are largely excluded from the chocolate production process.