More than a third of the world's cocoa is grown in the Ivory Coast; the cocoa industry directly supports about 3.5 million people in the West African country.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
More than a third of the world's cocoa is grown in the Ivory Coast; the cocoa industry directly supports about 3.5 million people in the West African country.
Matt Percival/CNN
Cocoa pods grow straight from the trunk of the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, or "food of the gods." One tree produces between 20 and 30 pods a year, each containing 20 to 50 almond-sized cocoa beans.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Cocoa pods grow straight from the trunk of the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, or "food of the gods." One tree produces between 20 and 30 pods a year, each containing 20 to 50 almond-sized cocoa beans.
Matt Percival/CNN
Workers harvest the pods and split them open with machetes, removing the cocoa beans, which are coated in a white fruity pulp.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Workers harvest the pods and split them open with machetes, removing the cocoa beans, which are coated in a white fruity pulp.
Matt Percival/CNN
The pulp is left to ferment over several days, warming the beans and causing them to lose their bitter flavor; they are then dried out in the sun.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
The pulp is left to ferment over several days, warming the beans and causing them to lose their bitter flavor; they are then dried out in the sun.
Matt Percival/CNN
Cocoa farmers, many of whom work on small family-run plantations of just a few hectares, then take their beans to the local market.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Cocoa farmers, many of whom work on small family-run plantations of just a few hectares, then take their beans to the local market.
Matt Percival/CNN
The beans are bought by traders or middle-men who sell them to wholesalers; the wholesalers sell them on in bulk to large cocoa companies.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
The beans are bought by traders or middle-men who sell them to wholesalers; the wholesalers sell them on in bulk to large cocoa companies.
Matt Percival/CNN
This means that the farmers see only a tiny proportion of the profits from the finished chocolate sold in shops around the world.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
This means that the farmers see only a tiny proportion of the profits from the finished chocolate sold in shops around the world.
Matt Percival/CNN
A worker checks the condition of cocoa beans to make sure they are free of mold, insect damage and disease.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
A worker checks the condition of cocoa beans to make sure they are free of mold, insect damage and disease.
Matt Percival/CNN
The beans are checked and graded according to quality and condition before being packed ready for shipping.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
The beans are checked and graded according to quality and condition before being packed ready for shipping.
Matt Percival/CNN
Sacks of beans are stored in warehouses in the Ivory Coast, before being shipped to chocolate makers around the world.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Sacks of beans are stored in warehouses in the Ivory Coast, before being shipped to chocolate makers around the world.
Matt Percival/CNN
Ships loaded with their cargoes of cocoa beans, bound for chocolate manufacturers in Europe and the U.S.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Ships loaded with their cargoes of cocoa beans, bound for chocolate manufacturers in Europe and the U.S.
Matt Percival/CNN
Once they arrive at their destination, the beans are processed into nibs, cocoa liquor and cocoa butter, before being made into the chocolate we buy in stores around the world.
Cocoa-nomics: From bean to bar —
Once they arrive at their destination, the beans are processed into nibs, cocoa liquor and cocoa butter, before being made into the chocolate we buy in stores around the world.
Matt Percival/CNN