16 cocoa cooperatives in Peru have formed the Crean Federation of Cocoa Cooperatives of Peru (FEDECACAO).
According to Agraria Peru, the joint effort aims to promote sustainability and boost the livelihoods of small-scale producers.
The deal, inclusive of regional co-ops, came into a reality after successful initial negotiations back in December 2024.
Upon its formation, FEDECACAO’s members elected Eliasn Cruz Godos from the northwestern Peru riverbank region of Piura as president.
The federation enjoys the membership of some of the nation’s most important cooperatives that will share their marketing expertise.
Hitherto, the most nationally representative federation has been the Cacao Producers (APPCACAO), which represents the industry’s national and international interests.
APPCACAO had over 25 co-operatives and over 30,000 farmers around Peru as of early 2025, according to its website.
Other than defending partner co-ops’ interest, the federation also certifies farmers so that their produce can gain acceptability worldwide.
Joining cocoa cooperatives in Peru is the only way farmers can trade their limited supplies if they can’t find brokers.
Cocoa grows in the Amazon forest of Peru where, in combination with coffee, it commands 690,000 hectares.
The two crops also represent a large chain of producers for they together boast some 300,000 smallholder farmers nationwide.
Owing to this extensive human resource, Peru’s cocoa and coffee generated an export revenue worth US$2.374 billion in 2024. The combined turnover even edged the large-scale champ, blueberries.
Cocoa and its product chain alone earned Peru US$1.273 billion in 2024, after registering 197.4% growth, year-on-year.
Cooperatives contribute much of this revenue because they streamline Peru’s cocoa prices per the reigning international trends.
In May 2024 during volatility, co-op members enjoyed 30 sols (US$7.95) per kg for conventional cocoa and 32 sols (US$8.48) for organic cocoa.
So, the formation of a new cocoa federation in Peru holds benefits for cocoa growers, going by the above advantages. And have cacao cooperatives in Peru contributed to the economy? Yes they have but not without challenges, as the statistics below show.
Statistics on Cocoa Cooperatives in Peru
The world’s 9th biggest cocoa exporter (2022) and the long-term number one exporter of organic cocoa benefits much from cooperatives. Indeed, over 2000 partner farmers are able to export cocoa to the strict European market through cooperatives, as of 2022. Such producer associations, each with hundreds of members, helped Peru earn US$1.273 billion from cocoa product sales in 2024. This was over five times the $193.244 million worth of national cocoa earnings 10 years back in 2013. Arguably, cocoa sometimes represents 1.4% of the national economy, as it did in 2015.
Which portion of farmers belong to producer cooperatives?
In 2015, Root Capital found that out of 50,000 small-scale cocoa farmers in Peru, 20% belonged to producer associations.
Do farmers always sell their cacao beans to co-ops?
Sometimes producers only supply 50% of their cocoa to member cooperatives and sell the rest to middlemen. However, they strive to belong to co-ops for financial and physical security (against theft), certification and longterm benefits.
What is the advantage of growing cocoa in Peru?
Cocoa from Peru is distinct for being organic. Instead of growing conventional cacao, locals opt for the limited organic beans, which have few competitors in the world. The country sells 60 to 70% of this organic cocoa overseas at a higher price than conventional beans.