In the lush provinces of Bagua and Condorcanqui, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon region, the APROCAM association is paving an exemplary path for smallholder cocoa producers. Founded in 2003 with the initial support of GIZ and the PEJSIB project, this non-profit cooperative began with only 42 founding members. Today, it brings together nearly 200 passionate members. Deeply rooted in sustainable development, APROCAM demonstrates how unity and strategic investment can transform local living conditions whilst opening up to the most demanding international markets.
A catalyst project in the face of challenges
Between December 2015 and December 2017, APROCAM reached a decisive milestone thanks to the project “Improving access to markets for cocoa beans and processed cocoa”. Supported by the Trade for Development Centre of Enabel with €42,478, the association was able to tackle major structural challenges head-on. Prior to this intervention, the cooperative suffered from insufficient drying infrastructure that threatened the quality of the beans, limited management capacity that hindered producer loyalty (leading to production leaking to local markets), and a risky dependence on a single European buyer.
Exceptional economic and agricultural results
The intervention profoundly transformed the structure. Within two years, the organisation recorded remarkable progress, particularly in terms of yields and income:
- Explosion in productivity: The production volume of supported farmers jumped by 37%, from 840 kg to 1,150 kg per hectare. The cooperative thus achieved an overall average yield of 1.05 metric tonnes (MT) per hectare.
- Rapid commercial growth: Sales saw a spectacular increase of 117%, propelling the volumes sold from 150 to 325 MT.
- Direct financial impact: The turnover generated by these sales climbed by more than 43%, from $631,951 to $902,694. For the farming families, this translated into a direct 16% increase in their average income per hectare (reaching $2,653.85/ha), a real breath of fresh air for the local rural economy.
Quality, certification, and international reach
Keen to promote its terroir whilst respecting the environment, APROCAM has consolidated its position in niche markets. Already holding Fairtrade (since 2010) and Organic (since 2012) certifications, the cooperative saw its number of certified producers increase by 25% (from 163 to 203 farmers). By the end of the project, the association accounted for 395 MT of certified dry cocoa beans, grown across 376 hectares.
In order to sustain this momentum, the association has invested heavily in human capital: 360 members were trained in organic production standards, fair trade, and marketing through several dedicated workshops. The development of strategic and marketing plans has also enabled APROCAM to assert itself on the global stage, with notable participation in major industry events such as the BioFach trade fair in Nuremberg and the Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
Conquering the national market: the “Chocolate de Taza” gamble
Innovation did not stop at the doors of exportation. APROCAM has successfully diversified its activities by tackling the national market with the production of drinking chocolate (chocolate de taza). Previously held back by a lack of knowledge of health protocols, the processing plant has been modernised. It obtained an official health register and implemented a rigorous HACCP plan, thereby guaranteeing the highest standards of food safety.
With an initial successful sale of 0.5 MT of this processed chocolate and the launch of procedures to register its own commercial trademark, “Chokoselva”, with INDECOPI, APROCAM proves that the integration and mastery of the entire value chain is now within its grasp.
