FROM COCOA TO CHOCOLATE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHALLENGES FOUND BY ENTREPRENEURS IN THE COCOA AGROINDUSTRY IN SOUTH BAHIA

Abstract

The Southern region of Bahia is widely recognized as the leading area for cocoa production in Brazil, contributing to approximately 60% of the total production in the country in 2013, according to IBGE. The significance of cocoa cultivation in this region is undeniable, as it is intricately tied to its history and local economic dynamics. Cocoa farming in Southern Bahia is practiced in various cultivation systems, including new and old plantations, with or without intercropping, and varying levels of cultural treatments, among other variations. Notably, the regional practice known as "cabruca" stands out. Bahia was acknowledged as the largest cocoa-producing region in Brazil. However, due to a crisis affecting this agricultural system, resulting in a significant drop in production, Brazil has become an importer of cocoa, and the primary agricultural production system in Southern Bahia has declined. In this context, this study aimed to understand the strategies employed by cocoa producers in the face of uncertainty. The findings point to a favorable environment for the development of innovative productive arrangements in cocoa farming. This is attributed not only to the determination of some entrepreneurial producers seeking quality as a means to gain a competitive edge but also to increased dialogue within the sector. While challenges related to the social isolation characteristic of cocoa farming in Southern Bahia persist, the sector is exploring sustainable alternatives through cooperation and association. The objective is to create public policies, establish partnerships, and strengthen sector institutions with the aim of revitalizing cocoa production in the region.