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Cacao grain farmers in the Peruvian central highland increase quality and expand production for export markets

By adopting a new collection and processing technique, organic and fair trade certified cacao producers increase sales while protecting the environment and ensuring a higher income for their families.

Drying center where the mucilaginous cacao pulp is processed for overseas markets.

A group of families dedicated to coffee and cacao growing in the Apurimac and Ene Rivers Valley (in the Peruvian southern Andes region) founded the Agricultural Cooperative El Quinacho in 1970 to market their products in an organized fashion and avoid unnecessary trade intermediation of their products. The cooperative’s members have managed this organization with a democratic and equitable participation of men and women at the different levels of government.

By the year 2005, El Quinacho began exporting dry cacao beans with organic certification directly to the Swiss market through company PRONATEC AG. Later in 2009 El Quinacho adopted a new collection system of dry cacao grain, in order to improve their product quality and export with organic and UTZ certification. UTZ Certified is a worldwide certification program that works towards the sustainable management of agricultural products’ supply chains, meeting the growth needs and expectations of farmers, the food industry, and consumers alike.

By the year 2010, with PRA Project’s support, El Quinacho expanded its work to new areas such as Sivia and San Martín, and introduced the mucilaginous cacao pulp collection process. This has enabled El Quinacho to obtain a standardized product, with a fermentation degree and even humidity that meet market requirements. The result has been a higher quality product and a greater export volume.

To achieve this improvement, El Quinacho invested in setting up two collection centers and a facility to process mucilaginous cacao pulp (drying and fermenting centers, and storage drawers), located in Sivia and San Martín. It also purchased two trucks for the collection of greater volumes of mucilaginous cacao pulp.

With 559 active members, of whom 61 provide mucilaginous cacao pulp, El Quinacho has increased its sales by 137 percent at the end of calendar year 2010. Eighty-three percent of the cocoa sold is organic and fair trade certified, commanding a higher price in international markets. By adopting the organic management of cacao growing and fair trade certification, El Quinacho aims at preserving its natural resources for future generations and helping its producer members receive a higher portion of the international cocoa chain value.