Cocoa Powder Production from Cocoa Beans

This report entails the detailed cost evaluation of cocoa powder production from cocoa seeds. The production process of cocoa powder is initiated by processing cocoa seeds. Initially, the seeds of the cocoa plants, also known as cocoa beans, undergo roasting at a high temperature to develop the desired flavor in the beans. Passing through winnowing, the meat of the beans or nib is separated from its shell and then ground to form its paste, also known as the cocoa liquor. The liquor obtained from the cocoa bean is then pressed under high pressure (measuring approximately 550 bars) to obtain cocoa cake. The process is further carried out by grinding the cake obtained after pressing the liquor and producing cocoa powder as the final product.

Top Producers of Cocoa Powder

• Olam Cocoa
• Barry Callebaut
• Cargill
• Plot Ghana
• Dutch Cocoa

Feedstock for Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is an organic powder obtained by processing cocoa cake (from cocoa liquor, which is obtained from cocoa beans) that serves as its primary feedstock. The procurement of cocoa powder is influenced by several factors, including the availability of its raw material (including cocoa bean, which gives the liquor, which is further processed to produce a cocoa cake for cocoa powder), along with natural factors, including the weather condition (covering the amount of rainfall, temperature, wind pressure), and nature of the soil, etc.

Moreover, factors, including production cost, market prices, and demand in the food, beverages, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, altogether strongly influence its procurement. Similarly, other crucial factors, such as the trade, transportation, and supply of cocoa powder, along with the governmental policies and socioeconomic conditions, largely govern its procurement across various regions.

The project economic analysis provided in the report discusses a Germany-based plant:

• Manufacturing Process
  • Process Flow
  • Material Flow
  • Material Balance
• Raw Material and Product's Specifications
  • Raw Material Consumption
  • Product and Co-Product Generation
  • Capital Investment
• Land and Site Cost
  • Offsites/Civil Works
  • Equipment Cost
  • Auxiliary Equipment Cost
  • Contingency
  • Engineering and Consulting Charges
  • Working Capital
• Variable Cost
  • Raw Material
  • Utilities
• Fixed Cost
  • Labor Requirement & Wages
  • Overhead Expenses
  • Maintenance Charges
• Financing Costs
  • Interest on Working Capital
  • Interest on Loans
• Depreciation Charges
• General Sales and Admin Costs
• Production Cost Summary