The cocoa bean is one of the priority products of all the regions in Mindanao.

Cacao
is an important cash crop for producing countries and a key import for processing

and consuming countries. Cocoa producing countries are unable to fulfil the growing
demand for cocoa products worldwide, especially chocolate (Cocoa Barometer
2010). The Philippines itself is a net importer of cocoa products with annual
consumption equivalent to 50,000 MT of dried cocoa beans. By 2020, the Philippines
chocolate industrys projected demand is expected to reach an estimated 100,000
metric tons of dried cocoa beans which would translate to 50-70 million trees and
120-150 thousand hectares of land. In the world market, demand for cocoa beans is
projected to reach 4.7M to 5 M in 2020 with average annual deficit of 100,000 MT.
These trends are of particular interest to Mindanao, which is responsible for
approximately 90% of the countrys cacao production. The Philippine cocoa industry
with Mindanao in the lead particularly Davao Region is targeting to produce 100,000
MT of cocoa beans per year starting in 2020.
Of the 4,366.52 MT of cacao beans produced in Mindanao, 88% came from Davao
Region. Northern Mindanao had the 2nd highest production although volume was
only about 5% of Davaos production. Average yield in Mindanao in 2013 was 590
kilograms per hectare, which is 12% higher than the national average.

Cocoa beans constitute only 10% of the fresh weight of the cocoa fruit. This means
that only about 10% by weight of the cocoa fruit is commercialized while 90% by
weight (mainly cocoa pulp and cocoa pod husk) is discarded as cocoa waste. The
waste from cocoa can be transformed into commercial products and provide
farmers with opportunities to diversify their business. The following are some
examples of products that could be derived from the Cacao tree without infringing
on seed yields (Antonio Figueira, Jules Janick, and James N. BeMiller, 1993-cacaoweb.net ):

a) Animal feed from cocoa husk - As pelletised dry 100% cocoa pod husk, it can be
used as an animal feed. The animal feed is produced by first slicing the fresh cocoa
husks into small flakes and then partially drying the flakes, followed by mincing and
pelleting and drying of the pellets.
b) Production of soft drinks and alcohol - In the preparation of soft drinks, fresh
cocoa pulp juice (sweatings) is collected, sterilised and bottled. For the production
of alcoholic drinks, such as brandy, the fresh juice is boiled, cooled and fermented
with yeast. After 4 days of fermentation the alcohol is distilled.
c) Potash from cocoa pod husk - Cocoa pod husk ash is used mainly for soft soap
manufacture. It may also be used as fertiliser for cocoa, vegetables, and food crops.
To prepare the ash, fresh husks are spread out in the open to dry for one to two
weeks. The dried husks are then incinerated in an ashing kiln.
d) Jam and marmalade - Pectin for jam and marmalade is extracted from the
sweatings by precipitation with alcohol, followed by distillation and recycling of the
alcohol in further extractions.
e) Mulch - Cocoa bean shells can be used an organic mulch and soil conditioner for
the garden.