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Cocoa, an important commercial crop of the equatorial region, is extensively planted in areas bordering the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa which include the countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo and Dahomey. In Ghana, the cocoa or chocolate tree was introduced about 90 years ago. Today, Ghana is an important producer of cocoa in the world. It accounts for about 11 percent of the worlds total. The cocoa plantations of Ghana are vast.
The word "cocoa" is derivative of "cacao". Cocoa trees grow in hot, rainy tropical areas. Cocoa harvest occurs over several months .Immature cocoa pods have a variety of colors but most often are green, red, or purple, and as they mature their colour tends towards yellow or orange. Unlike most fruiting trees, the cacao pod grows directly from the trunk or large branch of a tree rather than from the end of a branch. A cocoa pod has a rough leathery rind about 3 cm thick.
Pod Breaking
Bean Sorting
Sun Drying
Fermentation
Exportation
Cocoa Processing
Cocoa trees are vulnerable to pests and diseases that can seriously affect the crop, or even wipe it out entirely. Black Pod disease is caused by a fungus that attacks the pods, causing brown patches that gradually cover the surface, before spreading to the inside of the fruit. Witches' Broom is also caused by a fungus. This fungus attacks trees that will no longer produce proper pods, and shoots grow to look like "witches' brooms.
Conclusion Ghana is the worlds largest producer of cocoa. The cocoa is exported to many countries. It is exported to Britain, Switzerland, Denmark, France and Spain for making chocolate. Cocoa has its demand only in developed countries which enjoy high standard living. After exportation it is manufactured into By-products like cocoa powder, cocoa butter etc.