New Research May Speed Cocoa Production, Despite Deficits

LONDONA  recent release of the cocoa genome sequence could lead to an accelerated breeding process for cocoa plants, resulting in higher yields despite current deficits, according to new research published in Genome Biology.

Researchers from Mars, Inc., the U.S. Department of Agriculture, IBM and various universities finished the entire sequence for Matina 1-6, the genome that will likely improve breeding processes for cocoa.

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) predicted the world cocoa production deficit will hit -60,000 tons in 2012/2013, a major decrease from the 84,000 ton surplus in 2011/2012. These drastic decreases in production could cause cocoa prices to soar for chocolate manufacturers and consumers.

In the ICCO quarterly bulletin of cocoa statistics, reports show an estimated 3.9 million tons in total world grindings, a decrease from the previous forecast of 4 million, reflecting the reduced estimate in world demand.

With 6.5 million cocoa farmers in Africa, South America and Asia, cocoa ranks as one of the top 10 agriculture commodities in the world, the Cacao Genome Project reported. Because of pests, diseases and weather, cocoa production has experienced serious losses in recent years, but the new genome sequence could help bring cocoa's numbers back up.

In May 2013, cocoa prices rose due to supply worries, and a similar pattern occurred in 2012 when cocoa prices hit a 9-month high during a time of shortage concerns.

For more information on cocoa ingredients and how to use them, visit our image gallery Cocoa Forms and Applications.