Nestlé’s cocoa diversity research to help safeguard chocolate

Cocoa is a key ingredient in chocolate; however, only a small percentage of global cocoa diversity is currently used in the commercial production of chocolate, making its supply chain vulnerable.

In an effort to build more resilient supply chains and safeguard the future of chocolate, Nestlé plant scientists, in collaboration with leading research institutions, have mapped the diversity of cocoa varieties. The work has led to the establishment of a cocoa core collection consisting of 96 cocoa varieties.

Representing over 95% of global cocoa genetic diversity, the collection will help researchers and breeders to more efficiently identify plants with desirable traits such as climate resilience, disease tolerance, higher yield and sensory quality.

This research, published in BMC Genomics, was a collaboration between The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Fox Consultancy, and Nestlé Research. The newly developed core collection includes several high-quality genome sequences generated by Penn State through its longstanding Molecular Biology of Cacao research program. CATIE, based in Costa Rica, also provided access to one of the world’s largest living cacao collections, which includes several genotypes represented in this core collection.

The sequencing data is publicly available via the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, and the corresponding trees are accessible at CATIE, Penn State, and other locations.

“Assembling the world’s genetic diversity of cocoa into a well-curated collection, or a ‘Noah's Ark’ of cocoa diversity, not only makes sense from a conservation point of view,” said Jeroen Dijkman, Head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences. “It will also allow us to uncover key traits that can be used in traditional breeding programs to safeguard the future of cocoa.”

In addition to this research, Nestlé is exploring innovative post-harvest solutions, such as a patented technique that uses underutilised parts of the cocoa pods, like pulp and placenta, to produce cocoa flakes, unlocking more value from the fruit. The company’s sourcing program, known as the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, also plays a key role in sustainable cocoa farming by partnering with farmers and organisations to improve agricultural practices, enhance farmer livelihoods, and ensure responsible sourcing.

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