Cocoa beans are the seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) and the raw material for chocolate, cocoa butter and cocoa powder. Cocoa is one of Nigeria's main agricultural export crops.
Where it is grown
Nigerian cocoa is grown mostly in the south-west of the country, typically on tree farms run by smallholder families. Five Acres Ltd sources cocoa from the South-West, building relationships with farmers, local buying agents and aggregators across states such as Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and surrounding production areas.
Harvest and seasons
Nigeria's cocoa year has two harvests: a main crop that runs from about October to January, and a smaller light crop, usually from about April to August. After harvest, the beans are fermented and dried before they are bagged. Exact timing varies by area and by year.
Uses and demand
Cocoa is processed into cocoa butter and cocoa powder, and used to make chocolate and confectionery, beverages and baked goods.
Typical buyers are cocoa processors, manufacturers and exporters, who look for consistent quality, documentation and dependable volumes.
Quality: what we check
Buyers want consistent quality, documentation and reliability, not only volume. For cocoa, our checks include:
- Bean count
- Recorded as part of every quality assessment.
- Moisture
- Monitored to limit deterioration during storage and transportation.
- Defects
- Defect levels, such as mouldy or insect-damaged beans, are monitored and controlled.
- Foreign matter
- We seek to minimise foreign materials and contamination.
- Drying and storage
- Appropriate storage practices preserve quality until delivery.
- Documentation
- Quality information is recorded to support transparency and traceability.
How Five Acres Ltd handles it
Growing areas and harvest windows vary by season and region. Contact us for current availability and specifications.