Ecuador among top ten cocoa producing countries

Ecuador is among the top 10 cocoa-producing nations, growing 6 percent of the world’s supply—and over 70 percent of one of the world’s finest varieties, Cacao Arriba, Nacional or Fino de Aroma. Yet Ecuador’s status on the world cocoa market hasn’t translated to better jobs and incomes for many of its producers. In the coastal province of Esmeraldas, a three-part public private partnership, spearheaded by CARANA, is helping cocoa cooperatives there connect with major buyers and upgrade their product, generating 454 new jobs and higher incomes for more than 600 households.Read Article