CropGPT - Podcast for Commodities

Venezuela’s cocoa story is one of quality, and quiet resilience. Once celebrated as the world’s largest cocoa producer in the early 1800s, the country’s production today stands at a modest 15,000–20,000 tonnes per year — a mere 0.04% of the global supply.

While volume has plateaued over recent decades, the reputation of Venezuelan cocoa remains unmatched. The cocoa is prized by luxury chocolatiers and specialty markets around the globe — commanding prices double the global averages.

60% of the worlds best cocoa varieties come from Venezuela including Porcelana Criollo, Chuao, and Guasare.

 The Caribbean, once the world's cocoa powerhouse, supplied as much as 70% of global production before West Africa took over in the 20th century. Today, the region contributes less than 5% but has reinvented itself as a hub for fine-flavor cocoa, prized by artisan chocolatiers. The Dominican Republic leads in volume, while islands like Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, and Jamaica focus on premium beans. St. Lucia, with Hotel Chocolat’s investment, showcases the shift toward local processing and chocolate tourism, marking a new era for Caribbean cocoa.