Ethiopia is set to develop its cocoa industry as part of a broader drive to diversify agricultural exports and tap into the lucrative global chocolate market.

Speaking to journalists, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) Director General Nigussie Dechassa said there are ongoing initiatives to adapt cocoa cultivation to the country’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, as the crop remains relatively unfamiliar in Ethiopia but enjoys strong global demand.

He said the country’s fertile lands, with favourable temperatures and ample rainfall, allow for the successful growth of cocoa.

The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), through its Tepi National Spices Research Centre, has introduced a Forastero-type cocoa variety, which has been tested for adaptation, performance, and bean quality in the South western part of Ethiopia.

This development marked a significant milestone as the first cocoa variety was officially registered in Ethiopia, opening up opportunities for the country to enter the global cocoa market.

Currently, cocoa production in Ethiopia is limited to experimental production at the Tepi Agricultural Research Centre. However, in the past decade, several domestic chocolate producers have begun operations in the Ethiopian market. Most chocolate manufacturers produce compound chocolate, which is made using imported cocoa powder and locally produced vegetable oil.

Nigussie said as part of the government’s campaign to promote cocoa cultivation, agricultural research centers distributed more than 32,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers during the most recent planting season.

He said the cocoa development initiative forms part of Ethiopia’s broader strategy to boost the productivity of high-value crops, particularly those with strong export potential and industrial applications.

Cocoa trees grow best in equatorial regions, with Africa accounting for about 70 percent of the world’s cocoa output, according to the UN Trade and Development. Cocoa serves as the primary ingredient in chocolate and various products.