The story behind one of America’s most important crops seems to have been forgotten. The social, economic and spiritual power that the indigenous people have given to cocoa seeds for centuries is worth remembering and admiring. Costa Rica was never the exception and cocoa has been grown, consumed and revered by indigenous tribes for hundreds of years. Nowadays, more people have joined to rescue this delicious and important tradition.
Find out how this crop can become your next best investment!
Cocoa and the Bribri culture
Owning cocoa was a symbol of wealth and abundance, its dry seeds were used as currency to acquire or barter other foods or objects. For this reason, to understand the history behind why cocoa became such a precious product, we must delve into the indigenous culture of our country.
For the Bribrís, one of the Costa Rican indigenous tribes, cocoa is a gift from their god “Sibú“. Sharing a cup of coco is a symbol of family, friendship, and love. Cocoa is present in different rituals and if you ever have the chance to visit an indigenous family they will probably share a cup of bitter but delicious hot chocolate with you.
In addition to being a delicious drink, cocoa has many medicinal properties, it is an important source of antioxidants, it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and it releases endorphins, hormones that help us feel happy!
The indigenous tribes have used cocoa to improve their health and quality of life. In recent years, many Costa Rican and foreign producers have ventured into the investment of this crop, helping to rescue an important tradition and sharing the delicious chocolate that we can produce in Costa Rica.
This is a traditional form of investment in which, with the necessary climatic and soil conditions, more than 1,000 kg of dry grain per hectare can be produced.
“Apart from the excellent climatic and soil conditions of our country, Costa Rica has the great advantage of having highly productive genetic materials that are resistant to pests and diseases. Those”clones” were created and developed by CATIE and, together with MAG, have provided technical support and accompaniment in the different stages of cultivation to the national producer.”
Alfonso Sancho, Nativu Fincas AdvisorHow to invest in a productive cocoa farm?
Planting cocoa trees can be an excellent investment if you dream of having a productive farm. Since 2012, Costa Rica has been exporting cocoa to the United States through the company Cacao South. This company buys cacao from small producers in the Talamanca area and approximately one ton every fifteen days is exported from the country.
Among the cocoa by-products that can be exported are seeds or dried nibs, cocoa paste, chocolate, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter. In Costa Rica, the best conditions to grow cocoa range from 0 to 800 meters above sea level, with 600 meters being the maximum for abundant production.
In our country, the best areas to produce cocoa are:Huetar Atlántico, Huetar Norte, Pacifico Sur, and Pacifico Central. The best method of propagation for this crop is by means of certified hybrid seed. Although it can also be sown by means of vegetative propagation, it is best to invest in quality seeds to avoid losses and maximize results.
You can read more about this seed and find out about the production process here. Also, if you want more information about the cocoa export process, you can visit the website of the Foreign Trade Promoter, Procomer.
In Costa Rica it is possible to grow different types of crops; Soil fertility and climatic conditions are suitable for a good investment. If you want more information about the types of farms in Costa Rica and the best-located properties in the country to invest in, do not hesitate to contact our specialized advisor.
You can also see our property portfolio focused on farms throughout the country.
