Togo has secured two gold medals representing Africa and the Indian Ocean region at the prestigious Cocoa of Excellence Awards 2026, reinforcing the West African nation’s growing reputation in the global fine-flavour cocoa market.
The awards, presented on February 20 in Amsterdam, recognise the world’s highest-quality cocoa beans and are widely regarded as one of the most important benchmarks in the international cocoa industry.
Togo’s victory highlights a strategic shift by smaller cocoa-producing countries toward premium production segments traditionally dominated by Latin American and select African exporters.
The competition evaluates cocoa samples submitted from producing regions worldwide based on stringent criteria including physical bean quality, flavour complexity, aromatic profile and traceability standards. Winning entries are typically sourced by high-end chocolate manufacturers seeking distinctive origin beans for specialty products.
Industry observers say the double gold distinction positions Togolese cocoa among the most competitive fine-flavour varieties globally, potentially enabling farmers and exporters to command higher prices in niche markets.
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Unlike bulk cocoa traded primarily for volume, fine cocoa targets artisanal chocolatiers and premium brands that prioritise sustainability, origin transparency and flavour differentiation.
Officials attribute the country’s success largely to the adoption of agroforestry-based farming systems across cocoa-growing zones. The approach integrates cocoa cultivation with forest trees, helping maintain soil fertility, biodiversity and natural shade while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
Agricultural experts say such environmentally sustainable practices contribute directly to improved bean quality by stabilising growing conditions and enhancing flavour development.
“The agroforestry model has become a cornerstone of quality cocoa production,” a sector stakeholder involved in the programme said, noting that farmers increasingly combine productivity goals with climate resilience measures.
The achievement also reflects reforms implemented over recent years by the Coordination Committee for the Coffee and Cocoa Sectors (CCFCC), which has focused on strengthening traceability systems, farmer training and value-chain governance.
Through these reforms, authorities have sought to move Togolese cocoa away from commodity-grade exports toward differentiated, value-added production capable of attracting specialty buyers.
Togo’s continued recognition at the Cocoa of Excellence competition follows earlier distinctions in the 2021 and 2023 editions, suggesting sustained improvements rather than isolated success.
The country remains a relatively small cocoa producer compared with regional giants such as Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which together account for more than half of global cocoa output. However, analysts say premium positioning allows smaller producers to compete through quality rather than scale.
Global demand for ethically sourced and traceable cocoa has risen sharply in recent years as chocolate manufacturers respond to consumer concerns about sustainability, deforestation and farmer livelihoods.
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Fine-flavour cocoa represents only a small share of worldwide production but attracts significantly higher margins, offering producing countries an opportunity to increase export revenues without expanding cultivated land.
For Togo, the recognition comes as governments across West Africa seek to diversify agricultural exports and shield farmers from price volatility in bulk commodity markets.
Sector specialists note that awards such as Cocoa of Excellence can improve international visibility, facilitate direct trade relationships with specialty chocolate makers and encourage investment in post-harvest processing infrastructure.
Beyond commercial gains, proponents argue that quality-focused production models aligned with agroforestry practices may also support climate adaptation efforts in a region increasingly exposed to changing rainfall patterns and environmental degradation.
As global chocolate demand evolves toward premium and sustainably sourced products, Togo’s latest win signals its ambition to carve out a durable position within the high-value segment of the cocoa industry.
