Cocoa Production and Processing Business Plan

Executive Summary

Overview

PATILAD Cocoa Farm is a new farm that is involved in production, sales and distribution of highly nutritious disease-free cocoa beans, processing into cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, etc. targeting consumers in Nigeria and the international market. We are located in Ile-Oluji, Ondo state.

The Company           

PATILAD Cocoa Farm is established as a limited liability company owned by Dayo Adetiloye, Adebayo Tijani, and other investors.  The farm is managed and directed by Dayo Adetiloye, a veteran in the Agric. industry with 8 years’ experience and Adebayo Tijani, an experienced Agro-allied specialist with over 15 years’ experience.

Products and Services

PATILAD Cocoa Farm will sell healthy, disease-free and highly nutritious cocoa beans. Other products and services include cocoa powder, cocoa tea, cocoa butter, etc. We produce process and package to meet standard organization of Nigeria and international standard. We are concerned about providing products that suit the many use of cocoa beans either for edible or industrial uses.

The Market

Today, chocolate is a highly demanded luxury product and an impulsive treat for millions of people around the world. No wonder the global market for chocolate and cocoa beverages is now worth over $100 billion (and growing) every year.

Although the developed and fast developing countries (especially in Europe, Asia and North America) consume over 90% of the chocolate produced every year, chocolate largely exists because of Africa. This is because up to 70% of cocoa, the major ingredient for making chocolate, is grown and harvested in Africa.

Competition

Competitors for PATILAD Cocoa Farm includes renown agricultural produce marketer in and around Ondo state. PATILAD Cocoa Farm’s competitive edge includes the use of modern production techniques and equipment which turns out high quality products, excellent customer service, the expertise of its founders, etc. 

Financial Considerations

PATILAD Cocoa Farm seeks N5 million in long-term financing to cover start-up costs, equipment, building expenses, and working capital. Funding for the launch of the business is provided primarily by equity from the partners and investors. 

The business will reach positive cash flow in its 10th month of operation, allowing for expedited repayment of its loan obligations, as well as for dividends to be paid to the owners.  Revenue will top N63,843,000 and gross margin of about N18,818,050 in the 1^st year of operation.

INTRODUCTION

The cocoa plant is a small, evergreen tree (usually between 13 to 26 feet tall) that grows exclusively in the deep tropical regions of the world. The dried, green beans are cleaned, roasted, weighed and stored and processed as clean raw material, the beans are subjected to a thermal treatment under high pressure at a temperature of 220°C so that all bacteria are destroyed. This is followed by bean toasting, during which the moisture is extracted.

Finally, the cocoa beans are crushed and the hulls are separated from the bean fragments called nibs. During this mechanical grinding operation heat is generated which makes the cocoa mass melt. The liquid cocoa mass (liquor), with a temperature of about 80°C, is directed to storage tanks, where it is cooled to 45–50°C. From the tanks, the mass is moved to a cooling tunnel where the heat is extracted and the cocoa mass is formed into blocks weighing 25kg each.