Cocoa prices climb, expert backs farmers
June 4, 2025 10:01 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Ezra Toara & Kizzy Kalsakau.
Cocoa farming is a profitable business with rising prices and strong potential to improve rural livelihoods, says Aisen Samuel, a cocoa farming expert from Brenwei in Northwest Malekula.
Speaking during the Yumi Growem Vanuatu Agriculture Programme on Capitol FM107, Samuel said cocoa has become an attractive industry, encouraging more people to take up farming.
“Many farmers have already planted cocoa, but they lack the technical knowledge to produce premium quality beans,” Samuel said. “That’s why I decided to learn more and share my knowledge, so farmers can reach a level where they earn better income.”
Samuel noted that families can make a decent living if they focus on producing premium-grade cocoa. While most farmers have received guidance from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) on planting and maintaining cocoa trees, he pointed to a major knowledge gap: post-harvest processing.
“Farmers know how to plant and harvest, but they lack understanding of key processes such as fermentation, drying, and proper storage. These steps are crucial for achieving high-quality beans,” he explained.
Recently, Samuel conducted a training session with 25 farmers in collaboration with Australian cocoa buyer Luke Spencer, who sources cocoa beans for his chocolate factory in Australia. The session focused on improving productivity and identifying challenges that farmers face in cocoa production.
According to Samuel, cocoa farmers in Malekula are now receiving higher prices for their produce compared to the past. “Back then, a kilo of cocoa was sold for just VT10 to 20. Today, the price has reached VT210 per kilogram. This increase has sparked renewed interest among farmers, many of whom are now requesting more training.”
He shared insights into best practices for planting, such as maintaining proper spacing between trees—either three or four metres—to avoid competition for nutrients and improve bean size.
Samuel also acknowledged the support he has received from the DARD, which helped him expand his farm and develop a model that other farmers can follow. Assistance also came from PHAMA Plus, IDF, and the Department of Industry and Trade, as well as his export partner in Australia.
From the two trainings he has conducted so far, ten farmers have successfully begun growing cocoa. One has already joined him in exporting to Australia, with the other nine expected to start in September. Samuel personally inspected the farms and confirmed they met both his and the DARD’s standards.
“Our buyer helped us obtain an export licence, and we’ve produced samples that meet export standards. After verification by the buyer, we began shipping cocoa to Australia,” he said.
Due to his experience, Samuel has also been invited by PHAMA Plus and the trade authorities to deliver training to cocoa farmers in the provinces of SHEFA, SANMA, and other parts of Malekula.
He encouraged cocoa farmers to care for their trees and contact the DARD for further training and support. “Don’t let your cocoa trees grow wild. With regular maintenance and proper training, your farm can thrive,” he advised.
Samuel also shared that he played a key role in the Government’s major cocoa project in Lambubu, working alongside international experts to improve local farming techniques. With over 40 years of experience, he has developed deep knowledge in producing premium-quality cocoa that meets global standards.
