Sacred food for Mesoamericans, currency in colonial Brazil and currently a source of opportunities. Over the years, cocoa has reaffirmed its relevance in the market and, this time, it is emerging in non-traditional growing regions, such as the North of Minas Gerais.
Currently adding a planted area more than 400 hectarescocoa production in the State is present in cities such as Janaúba, Jaíba and Matias Cardosoin addition to new areas being implemented in the municipality of Pirapora. The expectation for the coming years is that the region will become a cocoa production hub with around 10 thousand hectares.
To put this objective into practice, for around ten years, researchers have been studying the cultivation of the fruit on the experimental farm of the State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes). In this work, which involves teachers, students and partners, studies are carried out, which, adapted to technology and local production, show optimistic results, such as adoption of full sun cultivation.
The technique, according to Professor Victor Maia, is independent of the planting of other cultivars, differentiating itself from the system most adopted in the country, the “cabruca” (when cocoa is planted under the shade of native trees). “Due to the fact that it is in full sun and with the adoption of new technologies, we were able to productivity up to 10 times above the average of traditional regionsas in the south of Bahia and Pará”, he states.
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Among the technologies adopted from the studies carried out, Maia says that the genotypes most adapted to the climatic conditions in the region were identified. In addition to using the fertigation system (fertilizer injected into the irrigation water) for adequate nutrition for the crop.
Other important studies revolve around the intercropping of cocoa with other species such as pineapple, banana and macadamia nuts. Furthermore, the physiology of the cocoa tree and its responses to water and thermal stress in the region are also among the main focuses of research that aims to boost cocoa cultivation in the North of Minas.
Regarding the region’s climate, which is challenging for some crops, Maia highlights that for cocoa farming, heat is not a hindrance, but rather a benefit. “In addition to being a heat-loving plant, here we have the great advantage of being a dry region with low humidity. This climate has become unfavorable for the main diseases of cocoa trees, such as witches’ broom”, highlights the professor.
The region, according to him, has been proving itself as an escape area for diseases, which has attracted the attention of several industries for possible installations in different cities. This is possible since cocoa cultivation is viable in all areas of the North of the State that have irrigation conditions.
“It is a crop that is easy to manage and sell, and is in demand. It is yet another option that has emerged for the region with enormous potential, both for generating income and employment”, concludes the professor.
Sustainable practices are among the pillars of cocoa cultivation in the northern region of Minas Gerais. The fruit is cultivated using nutrient cycling and carbon accumulation in the soil, in addition to there being no need to suppress native forest, using areas with low productivity, the so-called agroforestry systems (SAF).
SAFs in cocoa farming are the most common way of cultivating the fruit in Brazil. The system uses degraded or unproductive pasture areas to plant cocoa, diversifying the producer’s income, in addition to benefiting the environment.
“The cocoa crop itself is like a planted forest. Both the plant and the soil remove CO² from the atmosphere. It in itself is already sustainable from an environmental point of view”, reinforces Victor Maia.
Region will gain technological center for cocoa farming
In September last year, Unimontes received resources of around R$ 2.2 million for the creation of a technological center for cocoa farming in non-traditional regions. The amount is part of a total contribution of R$26.6 million that the university received to invest in 27 projects approved in a call from the Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundation (Fapemig) intended for state universities in Minas Gerais.
With the resource, research spaces focused on cocoa cultivation will be created on the Janaúba campus, in partnership with two other institutions in the State: the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The Technological Center will include laboratories for:
- Soil fertility;
- Irrigation and Drainage;
- Plant Products Processing Technology;
- Physiology of Cultivated Plants.
For the rector of Unimontes, professor Wagner de Paulo Santiago, approval of the proposals will strengthen the research and innovation structure at the university, providing positive impacts for society as a whole.
“Bean-to-bar” cocoa drives the specialty chocolate market
Transparency, high quality standards and socio-environmental responsibility. Cocoa consumption in Brazil has been changing, resulting in greater demand for special chocolates “bean-to-bar”.
The concept refers to the product that undergoes monitoring of the entire production process, from obtaining cocoa beans to the production of finished chocolate. Everything controlled by a single chocolate manufacturer or company, guaranteeing the origin of cocoa with Geographical Indication (GI).
According to Sebrae innovation analyst, Hulda Giesbrecht, “registering products with Geographical Indication is one of the best ways to change the reality of small rural producers in different regions of the country”.
In Belo Horizonte, the company AMBAR (from amcondolence to Pubra), has been standing out in the “bean-to-bar” segment, leading Minas Gerais consumers to value the identity of Brazilian cocoa.
“It’s a chocolate that has an identity. We know our producers, the space where the cocoa is processed and we guarantee that this processing happens properly”, highlights the brand’s creator, Helena Avelar.
She highlights that the brand always values the story of cocoa being shared and states that it fairly rewards cocoa producers, directly paying an amount that can reach up to ten times more than big industry pays.
According to her, expectations, although good, are contained due to a crisis in the world’s cocoa market, which affected some of the brand’s strategies. For Easter 2024, the creator plans 12 to 15% growth in sales compared to last year.
“Our communication is being done in order to direct customers to products with greater added value, focusing on different fillings and flavors to please the Brazilian palate”, he points out. The creator highlights that during this year’s Easter pre-launch, 1/3 of sales targets had already been achieved.
Cocoa cultivation in Brazil
- 6th largest cocoa producer in the world;
- 600 thousand hectares cultivated;
- Production of more than 200 thousand tons of almonds per year;
- 75 thousand producers;
- 60% are family farming;
- The states of Pará and Bahia are the main producers in Brazil, responsible for approximately 96% of all national production;
- In 2022, Brazil exported 36 thousand tons of chocolates and 48 thousand tons of cocoa derivatives, generating US$340 million;
- Argentina is the main destination, followed by the United States and Chile.
