Colombia’s geographic location enables the country to produce the highest quality cocoa known as Fino de Aroma cocoa. Quality is not an issue, however the national government hopes to increase production to meet global demand for high quality cocoa. Discussions are underway about using funds earmarked for cocoa price subsidies to see the replanting of up to 80,000 hectares of the country’s cocoa acreage. Colombian cocoa producers in 2005 produced 17,000 metric tons of cocoa from 96,000 hectares. Today, the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) estimates that the country’s growers will harvest 50,000 metric tons in 2014 from 152,000 hectares at a yield of 420 kg per hectare. The renewal program hopes to replant cloned plants that would be tolerant of pests and diseases that would boost yields to 1,000 kg per hectare. The plan would involve poorly performing plantations with yields below 350 kg per hectare with plants that are usually older than 30 years or compromised, making them susceptible to disease or pests. Hopes are that the country’s annual cocoa exports would eventually increase from 7,900 tons to 138,450 tons.
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