High Quality Organic Cocoa with a Social Conscience

HAI Tanzania

Some Facts

o Tanzania exports about 6,500 metric tons of fermented, dried cocoa beans per year

o Growing conditions are very favorable, with plenty of rainfall (1500-2900 mm), high temperatures (27 - 34 C) and rich volcanic soil

o Tanzania cocoa is thought to have originated from Cameroon and is known for its unique flavor profile

o Production is 100% organic and 95% organic certified

o Cocoa has been grown since the 1960s, and now counts over 20.000 smallholder farmers in Southern Tanzania

Tanzanian Cocoa

Tanzania is a largely undiscovered source of high quality, organic cocoa. It boasts a unique flavor profile recognized by industry experts.

Geography
Tanzanian cocoa grows in a highly concentrated area, south of Mbeya in the Rungwe and Kyela districts. The area forms a basin on the northern tip of lake Nyara (lake Malawi), surrounded by the Southern Highlands. The region is high in volcanic deposits and the enclosure by mountains ensures proper rainfall as well as plenty of water running down from the mountains

Growing conditions
oRainfall: 1500 - 2900 mmm per year, with only 3 months of <50 mm
o Temperature: 27-34 Cesius
oSoil: Rich volcanic soil, chemical free and little erosion
oHarvest season: Year round, with peak in March-October (rainy season)

High Quality

While the growing conditions and variety offer significant advantages, proper pruning, fermentation and drying techniques are required to realize the full potential of the cocoa. Quality standards were first introduced in the Tanzanian cocoa sector in the 1970s. But the quest for better quality never stops.

Organic & Sustainable Production

Whether out of necessity of conviction, Tanzania has always produced cocoa under organic conditions. Tanzanian farmers shipped their first organic certified cocoa in 2000. Currently, over 95% of the production is certified organic.

Even though production is organic, yield is still quite high with almost 600kg/ ha. This is mainly due to the soil quality, but also due to limited presence of pests and diseases. Although pests and disease are not major issues here, farmers have developed local organic solutions to protect the pods against all sorts of threats, including burning palm flowers to ward of insects.

The organic principles applied all throughout the cocoa region help in building and maintaining healthy soil. In addition, the abundance of cocoa trees in the region about 80% of the land is covered with cocoa trees is vital to the prevention of soil erosion. The large quantities of rainfall ensure that the water supply remains at the proper levels. No irrigation is needed. Nevertheless, more can be done and Hai continously looks for ways to increase environmental sustainability while simultaneously supporting the small farmer.

Hai Tanzania Limited * PO box 696, Kyela, Tanzania * Phone/ Fax: +255 252 540 530 * E-mail: HaiTanzania@gmail.com