German Startup Koa Launches Cocoa Fruit Shots, Boosting Ghana Farmers' Income
German startup Koa has launched an innovative product line, Cocoa Fruit Shots, made from cacao fruit juice. This move not only valorises a key chocolate industry sidestream but also provides additional income for Ghana's farmers, who can earn nearly twice as much as under Fairtrade. Koa's initiative comes at a critical time when global cocoa stocks have slumped to their lowest levels in a decade due to climate change and extreme weather conditions.
Koa's Cocoa Fruit Shots are available in three flavours: Koa Pure, Koa Boost, and Koa Energize. The startup's innovative approach to utilizing cocoa pulp has led to the creation of these vitamin shots, which would otherwise be wasted. An estimated 70% of the cacao fruit is discarded during chocolate production, including the pulp and outer husk.
Koa's mission extends beyond creating new products. It works with smallholders to reduce on-farm food waste and generate extra income. This not only helps farmers but also brings new ingredients to the food industry. Koa is currently collaborating with ETH Zurich and Swiss chocolate manufacturer Felchlin to develop a chocolate bar made entirely from cacao fruit, further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the cocoa industry.
Koa's initiative to valorise cacao pulp and provide additional income for farmers is timely, given the threats to cocoa trees and the potential global chocolate shortage by 2050. By exploring sustainable practices related to cocoa and other chocolate by-products, Koa is contributing to the preservation of the cocoa industry and the livelihoods of farmers in regions like Ivory Coast and Ghana, which have been hardest hit by extreme weather and crop diseases.
