Commercialising cocoa growing in North Queensland

Abstract

What the report is about?
The report is about the commercialisation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) growing, including harvesting, fermenting and chocolate manufacture in far north Queensland.
The work is important because it is another step towards the development of a small and stable cocoa industry of regional importance in far north Queensland.
Who is the report targeted at?
The report is targeted towards government R&D agencies and potential growers/producers of cocoa.
Where are the relevant industries located in Australia?
The industry is located in far north Queensland on the wet tropical coast from Daintree to Kennedy. There are approximately a dozen growers, three in the Innisfail to Kennedy region and the remainder in the area around Mossman.
The study documented the issues involved in establishing and producing cocoa in a Cadbury Schweppes funded seedling scheme initiated in 2007. The project also established protocols for successful fermentation and drying of cocoa bean in a cool wet tropics environment. New growers entering the industry will benefit from the learning and outcomes of this research.