Transcao CI launches US$235M cocoa processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire
Transcao’s expansion strengthens domestic cocoa grinding capacity as the country moves to process half its cocoa locally.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – State-owned cocoa company Transcao CI has commissioned a new CFA 130 billion (US$235 million) cocoa processing facility, marking a significant step in Côte d’Ivoire’s broader push to shift from raw bean exports to local value addition.
The newly inaugurated industrial complex significantly expands the country’s cocoa grinding capacity and aligns with government efforts to process at least 50% of its annual cocoa output domestically.
Côte d’Ivoire, which supplies about 40% of the world’s cocoa, has historically exported most of its production in raw form.
“This industrial complex reflects the President of the Republic’s vision of achieving a structural transformation of our economy by strengthening the link between production, processing, and consumption,” said Vice President Tiémoko Koné during the plant’s inauguration.
With this new plant, Transcao increases its total cocoa grinding capacity to 100,000 metric tons annually, combining with its existing 50,000-ton facility in San Pedro.
The investment also supports the company’s ambition to establish a stronger presence in the cocoa first-processing segment, which is currently dominated by global players such as Cargill, Barry Callebaut, and Olam.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, domestic processors handled approximately 777,000 tons of cocoa in 2024, accounting for around 44% of the country’s harvest of 1.76 million tons.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Customs reported that in 2023, Côte d’Ivoire exported 1.34 million tons of raw cocoa, earning CFA 2 trillion (US$3.5 billion), compared to 648,000 tons of processed cocoa, which brought in CFA 1.5 trillion (US$2.67 billion).
Despite the expansion, the cocoa processing sector is facing mounting challenges. Industry sources cited by Reuters in July 2025 reported that grinders have reduced bean purchases by around 20% since the start of the year.
The decline is attributed to profitability concerns stemming from elevated bean prices and a rise in low-quality beans from the mid-crop harvest, which are more acidic and have lower butter content.
According to financial platform Barchart, between 5% and 6% of mid-crop beans are of poor quality, compared to only 1% during the main crop. This deterioration has been linked to delayed rainfall, which affected cocoa tree development.
The USDA had initially forecast Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa grinding at 800,000 tons for the 2024/2025 season. However, with current market conditions, industry operators suggest a downward revision may be imminent.
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