Many people are surprised to discover that cocoa is grown in Australia.

It is a relatively new industry. The first cocoa planting occurred from 1998 when the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC then and now AgriFutures) funded a project to determine whether cocoa could be grown in Australia.

The answer was yes!

This study titled ‘Cocoa in northern Australia’ found that:

• Globally, 3.7m tonnes of cocoa are produced with a value of approximately $US8.5 billion.

• Researchers analysed the potential for cocoa to be grown in the north of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The study, undertaken over eight years, confirmed growing cocoa in Australia is a commercial reality. It demonstrated that it would be possible to produce good quality Australian grown cocoa for sale into the world market.

Best results were achieved in North Queensland at Mossman. Growing performance in the Northern Territory and Western Australia were less successful. due to impact of climatic and pest conditions.

The study also examined the economic viability of Australia based cocoa. Success depended on a number of key factors; good prices and high productivity of harvesting and processing.

Ref: Cocoa in Northern Australia https://www.agrifutures.com.au/product/cocoa-in-northern-australia-fact-sheet/ Published: 24 Feb 2010

Cocoa industry 2021

In 2021 AgriFutures are funding a 5-year strategic RDE (Research, Development & Extension)  Plan for the Australian Cocoa industry, as part of their role for for research into emerging industries. See https://www.agrifutures.com.au/rural-industries/e...

The consultants selected by tender are:

• Ingrid Roth of Roth Rural and Regional Pty Ltd, who will lead the development of the Cocoa RD&E plan; assisted by Luke Spencer of Spencer Cocoa, a viticulturalist and well-respected Australian craft chocolate maker

The RDE plan will identify key barriers to industry growth, both RDE related and more widely. The plan will prioritise RDE needs, as well as producing a roadmap for implementation.

Stakeholder consultations include growers, chocolate makers, researchers and other key stakeholders. The project is well underway.