Samoa has great potential in the cocoa industry with the possibility of exporting to countries overseas and even to big chocolate makers, says the Samoa Koko Industry Association (SKIA) as renowned company Whitakers imports Samoan cocoa.

SKIA's main objective is to revitalise cocoa production in Samoa.

They have been conducting various training and workshops, specifically targeting youth and women koko farmers. Many of these farmers are working on pre-existing cocoa farms that have been passed down through generations.

Project Officer for SKIA Pelenise Lima said that there are a few farmers already exporting out of the country.

“Our president Alo Kolone Vaai is shipping his koko beans to Whitakers, a chocolate company in NZ but the main market farmers have is the traditional koko drink which they sell here and also take with them to sell to Samoans overseas,” he said.

“We are trying to find more opportunities overseas but we feel that we should increase the production of cocoa first before we can supply the big companies overseas.” 

In order to expand their opportunities overseas, the association believes that increasing cocoa production is crucial. They want to ensure they can meet the demands of big companies abroad. The future of Koko Samoa lies in building a sustainable export industry, catering to the demand for fine flavor cocoa beans in the Pacific Rim economies and potentially beyond.

Currently, mainstream New Zealand and Australian chocolate manufacturers, as well as boutique chocolatiers, struggle to secure enough regular and consistent supplies of Samoan cocoa.

Mr. Lima said Samoan Cocoa has a lot of potential on the global market. With its heritage and inherent skill sets in cocoa production, Samoa has a real opportunity to rebuild its export industry. 

"By focusing on quality and meeting international demand, Samoan cocoa can make its mark in the chocolate industry worldwide," he said.

The first documented appearance of cocoa in Samoa was in 1883 when German planters introduced the Criollo subspecies from Ceylon and Java. Later, in 1898, Forastero subspecies plants from Java were also introduced. These Forastero plants were planted alongside the original Criollo plantations to replace the ones that didn't survive. 

The offspring of the Criollo and Amelonado plants produced a quality of bean known as "Samoan Trinitario" or "Koko Samoa," which had fine flavor and characteristics. Samoan cocoa was highly valued in the cocoa trade and fetched a premium price over bulk cocoa.