Steps are being taken to promote Samoan cocoa into the world market through diversification of cocoa products and this was evident at the Koko Market Day held at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale in Apia on Friday.

The government has launched a market and strategies to promote cocoa products and to empower communities to drive positive change and elevate the stature of Samoa’s cocoa industry on a global scale. Cocoa is being seen as the agricultural product which could boost Samoa's exports and add to its Gross Domestic Product.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) One Country One Priority (OCOP) initiative.

It was a revolutionary turning point. In addition to helping to revitalise the cocoa industry, this event also provided insight into the importance of improved production techniques, value addition, investment potential, and the pivotal role that cocoa plays in Samoan households and the country’s economy.

The Koko Market Day not only addressed production-related issues but also emphasised the significance of value addition. In order to reach specialised markets and command premium pricing, the industry is shifting from raw cocoa beans to the production of high quality, value-added products like premium chocolates and other cocoa-based items.

This tactical change is expected to boost Samoa's export earnings and general economic growth in addition to providing farmers with more income.

Cocoa farmer Mulitalo Saena Penaia in his presentation highlighted the importance of cocoa farming as a source of income for his family as well as challenges that concern the improvement of the industry.

“Cocoa plantation is one of the businesses that can benefit families in Samoa because it makes a lot of money when we sell it locally or export it overseas” he said.

“However, we are having a hard time in trying to sustain the healthy growth of cocoa in our farming, because it requires more weed control, but fertilisers and farming maintenance tools are very expensive.” 

He called for more incentives from the Government to help boost the industry which has been on the decline in some areas of Samoa. 

Generation of Samoans have loved cocoa, and it has greatly influenced their way of life.

Meanwhile, the Samoa Cocoa Export Development Initiative's goal is to ensure sustainable growth of the cocoa sub-sector through increased investment.

In particular, the Initiative aims to increase returns to cocoa farmers, as well as to increase the volume of cocoa exports through a sustainable production and quality management base.