Nigerian Cocoa and Cocoa By-products: Quality Parameters, Specification and the Roles of Stakeholders in Quality Maintenance

Abstract

The Study analyses the issue of cocoa and cocoa by-products; the quality parameters and specification, the quality and quality measures adopted by farmers, Licensed Buying Agents (LBAs), warehousing operators, exporters and processors as stakeholders in Nigerian Cocoa economy; all in attempt to ensure that cocoa and cocoa by-products meet acceptable international quality standard. The study employed descriptive statistics to determine the response of stakeholders on the various quality parameters and specification of cocoa and by-products as well as the measures adopted to ensure good quality cocoa. The study revealed that quality specification of cocoa and cocoa by-products are set by different terminal or future markets as bases for acceptability at the international market and that stakeholders in cocoa play paramount, roles at ensuring good quality maintenance of the commodity.