Colombia is often viewed as a large supplier of narcotic drugs to the USA. It turns out that cocaine has surpassed chocolate as being the more "in demand" product from that country.

Part of the problem is that cocoa bean prices have really hit a downward spiral, dropping 40% in 2012 alone from Columbia which is the third-largest supplier in South America. While the prices for cocaine has been rather constant and stable, as stated by both the police and growers alike.

In 2011, the number of hectares that was planted for coca leave production rose by as much as 3.2%. This is alarming because land that was previously allotted for cocoa is now being converted for cocaine planting. While the government's eradication program helped reduce cocaine production by 1.4%, cocoa production fell 9.8% in the same time.

But Columbia has been trying to improve security and increase international investments.  They've been quite successful by using cocoa as one of the strategies to offer a better, and legal, cash crop to the farmers.  But as the price of cocoa falls, it puts farmers back into a tough situation.  Over the past 9 months the price has dropped from about 5,000 pesos to 3,000 pesos per kilogram.

Plus cocoa is generally sold in bulk, a half a ton or more at a time.  That can be difficult to get to market from remote areas.  Contrast this with coca which is far more portable in smaller quantities.

To continue pushing for cocoa production, the government has been doling out help plenty of help.  They assist the farmers with finding buyers.  They offer loans in tough times.  And they are working to improve roadways for better availability and accessibility.

Columbia also wants to move into the #2 cocoa production position in South America.  They are currently behind Brazil and Ecuador, but have eyes on passing up Ecuador within the next few years.  They believe they have the potential output of 250,000 tons in 2018 compared to 37,000 tons in 2011.

But coca prices have remained stable, trustworthy for the past year.  That's a better track record than cocoa and even coffee.  So keeping a focus to convince farmers that cocoa is the better choice can be difficult.

If this were a perfect world, the things we want would not be fattening or illegal, but it's just not always the case. I still want that perfect world, though. Hmmm... Where's my chocolate bar?

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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