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New!

Guideline for validation of
thermal processes for
reduction of Salmonella in cocoa processing (CocoaVal)

Manual now available for download.


English



MOAH specification proposed
for jute bags



Specification now available for download.


English



Cocoa Beans:

Cocoa Beans:
Chocolate & Cocoa Industry
Quality Requirements,
2nd edition – 2024 update



Manual now available for download.


English     French     Spanish

Notice: These documents can be freely distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. They are not to be edited or sold, or their contents reproduced in any other work, without permission.

Core Research Areas

Cocoa Bean Quality and Food Safety

The research work is committed to the development of innovative tools allowing full conformity with regulations also in the future. In the focus are heavy metals, crop protection product and mineral oil residues, mycotoxins and acrylamide. Joint Research fund looks for closing of research gaps and the integration of scientific knowledge from the academy with the experience of the chocolate industry and other world industry references that provide us with clear, applicable, documentable information and that lead to mitigation plans with technical and financial viability. We also support work by the International Standards for the Assessment of Cocoa Quality and Flavour and science based flavour assessments as the Cocoa of Excellence program. Flavour and its diversity in the cocoa sector is an essential heritage and is further supported by the international germplasm collections.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management

Pests and diseases greatly affect cocoa farm productivity and resilience. To minimize their impact, the Joint Research Fund follows a three-component approach. Prevention of pest and disease spreading. Monitoring of pest and disease levels and detection of emerging diseases. Reduction of the dependency on chemical crop protection and development of integrated biological approaches for priority pests and diseases.

Resilient Cropping Systems

Erratic weather and climate change, combined with degradation of natural resources including soils, pose a major threat to cocoa production and the livelihoods of cocoa farming communities. Furthermore, the frequency of exposure of cocoa to extreme climatic events is expected to increase as climate change progresses with prolonged periods of drought and flooding. Building resilience will require a range of interventions including the adoption of climate smart agronomic practices, efficient use of inputs, crop diversification including agroforestry, conservation and restoration of natural resources and the early and rapid identification and control of pests and diseases.
The Resilient Cocoa Cropping Systems theme will focus on three main areas: Resilient agronomy; enhanced natural resources and ecosystem services and weather-informed agro-advisories.




Ongoing Projects

Fast-tracked breeding targets for resistance to vascular streak dieback and other serious pathogens of cocoa


Research Institutes: University of Sydney


Read more





Ongoing Projects

Identifying pollinators and enhancing pollination in cocoa


Research Institutes: NIAB, Durham University, University of Greenwich, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology


Read more





Ongoing Projects

Mitigation of Aluminium contamination in Theobroma cacao L.


Research Institutes: Cocoa Research Centre, University of the West Indies


Read more


Completed Project

Main Sources of MOH Contamination and
Entry Points into the Cocoa Supply Chain



Research Institutes: Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège (UoL), Deutsches Referenzbüro für Ringversuche und Referenzmaterialien (DRRR)


Read more

Completed Project

Mitigation of Cadmium Bioaccumulation
in Theobroma cacao L.



Research Institutes: Cocoa Research Centre, University of the West Indies


Read more

Completed Project

Mapping cocoa agroforestry and carbon stocks from space



Research Institutes: University of Queensland, ETH Zurich, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology


Read more

Completed Project

Understanding the extent of molecular diversity of the complex of viral species responsible for Cacao swollen shoot disease in order to improve CSSV detection and identify genuine alternative host plants



Research Institutes: University of the West of England, CIRAD, University of Reading


Read more

Manuals

Fourth Edition of the Pesticides Manual


English     French     Spanish

Cocoa Beans:
Chocolate & Cocoa Industry
Quality Requirements,
2nd edition – 2024 update


English     French     Spanish

Notice: These documents can be freely distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. They are not to be edited or sold, or their contents reproduced in any other work, without permission.




Calls for Proposals

The Joint Research Fund (JRF) finances applied research aiming at the development of solutions for current and upcoming key challenges of the cocoa sector. An industry managerial team, consisting of three JRF members, accompanies each project. Project proposals can be submitted upon a call for proposals. Calls are published on a yearly basis on the website. Initiative proposals are also welcome, but need to be within one of the Core Research Areas. Key components of JRF Project Proposals are the economic relevance of the topic, application development and an effective results transfer plan to the user groups. Applicants are encouraged to use the template for Project Proposals. The deadline for submission is communicated together with the call. Initiative proposals need to be submitted lately six weeks ahead of the JRF meeting. Information about the date of the next meeting can be obtained contacting the secretariats.



Call for proposal

Template for Project Proposals

Download
About Us

Fund Organization

A sustainable cocoa supply chain calls for high standards of quality and productivity whereby cocoa is safe for consumer consumption, complies with manufacturers’ quality requirements, and meets the growing global demand. CAOBISCO and ECA are committed to working towards more sustainable cocoa, which complies with such requirements for consumer, manufacturer and farmer benefit. In 2013, CAOBISCO and ECA joined forces by setting up the Joint Research Fund that operates under the umbrella of both associations and in collaboration with the Joint Working Groups Contaminants and Quality & Productivity. The Fund is currently administered by ECA. It is financed through the membership fees paid by the member companies.

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Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of Europe

With 12 National Associations and 7 Direct Member Companies, as well as affiliated members, CAOBISCO is the voice of more than 12,000 European chocolate, biscuit and confectionery manufacturers all over Europe, composed of 99% SMEs. The sector is a major player in the European economy, with over 225, 000 direct employees and an annual turnover of around €42 billion. CAOBISCO chocolate manufacturers use more than 50% of the world’s cocoa production.


www.caobisco.eu

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European Cocoa Association

ECA represents 60 companies engaged in cocoa bean trading, processing, warehousing and related logistical activities. Together, ECA Members constitute 90% of Europe’s cocoa bean grinding activity, 85% of European industrial chocolate production, and 85% of global cocoa liquor, butter and powder production.




www.eurococoa.com

Become a Member

MEMBERS OF THE JOINT RESEARCH FUND



The diverse membership of the Joint Cocoa Research Fund is evidence of its international nature. Currently, the Fund has 14 members.


Membership contracts are renewed every 3 years. The membership fee depends on the amount of cocoa bean equivalents that the company is using. If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Joint Research Fund, please get in contact with the ECA Secretariat: info@eurococoa.com.

Contact

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© CAOBISCO - ECA