Upper Egypt may be suitable for cocoa beans cultivation due to climate change: Head of Farmers’ Syndicate

CAIRO – March 30, 2024: Major climate changes could potentially enable Egypt to cultivate a wide range of tropical plants in the near future, including coca beans, particularly in southern Upper Egypt, according to Hussein Abdel-Rahman Abu Saddam, the head of the Farmers' Syndicate.

In a statement on Saturday, he mentioned, "The climate in southern Upper Egypt may be conducive to growing cocoa, as it resembles the climate in West African regions, which account for about 70% of the world’s cocoa production."

Abu Saddam highlighted that the global price of cocoa has risen to $10,000 per ton, indicating significant economic potential. He noted that cocoa trees require specific conditions such as moisture, high temperatures, and well-drained soil, conditions that may be present in southern Upper Egypt, particularly among banana crops. "We can explore planting cocoa trees in the governorates of Aswan, Luxor, and Qena," he added.

Cocoa is a vital ingredient in the chocolate industry, known for its high value and numerous health benefits. Abu Saddam emphasized that locally manufacturing cocoa could generate substantial income and create job opportunities.

He urged the Agricultural Research Center of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture to take proactive steps in expanding cocoa cultivation experiments in Egypt. Abu Saddam also confirmed that cocoa trees are long-lived, producing for over 40 years, and they start yielding fruit four years after planting, with production occurring year-round.