COCOA production has grown to 10,006 tonnes in the 2006/07 financial year from 3,700 tonnes in 2001, writes Vision Reporter.

The earnings have also hit $20m from $3.7m in 2001. The earnings are projected to grow to $25m next year with production expected to reach 12,800 tones.

As a result, the farmgate price has also risen to sh2,000, from just about sh500 a few years ago, making some farmers in the cocoa-growing districts to almost abandon coffee for the lucrative product.

The secretary general of the Cocoa Producers’ Alliance, Hope Sona Ebai, said the price of cocoa on the world market was good and getting better because more people are consuming chocolates and other cocoa products, leading to high demand.

“Ugandan cocoa suffers little pests and diseases, so it can be grown organically, which fetches higher premiums,” he said.