The cocoa industry is currently on the upswing due to the growing demand in the global market. The international demand for high-quality cocoa beans is growing at about 90,000tons and Southeast Asian regional grinders need an additional 220,000 tons which they have to import from Africa and other distant areas. The price of cocoa has risen by 100 percent over the last 18months.

Davao Oriental has a substantial area of cacao plantation, covering a total area of 3,450 hectares against the total projected area of 15,000 hectares for industry expansion. The establishment of the Davao Oriental Village Cacao Plantation Model thru the “Pagkain at Kita” and Agribusiness Program of the Provincial Government guarantees the continuous dissemination of vital information on the latest cacao growing technologies, providing encouragement to coconut farm owners to intercrop cacao under their coconut trees. With the intercropping and mixed farming systems implemented province-wide, there is a promising potential for the industry to gain dominance in terms of production, positioning the province on the map for commercial-scale supply.

The industry also presents opportunities for other cocoa-based value-added products such as cocoa tablets for traditional chocolate drinks (secuate) and chocolates, among others.