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The Single Rule That Made Global Cocoa Trade Possible
Season 2
Episode 75
Published 1 week, 6 days ago
Description
Episode 75 of Global Trade with Fexingo dives into the obscure but crucial rule that standardized cocoa beans for international trade. Lucas and Luna explain how the International Cocoa Organization's grading system — based on bean count, fermentation quality, and moisture content — transformed a chaotic commodity market into a $130 billion industry. They trace the rule's origins in the 1970s, its impact on smallholder farmers in West Africa, and the surprising way it enabled the rise of single-origin chocolate. A concrete look at how one standard shaped the world's favorite treat.