The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the Philippine Cacao Industry Council (PCIC) and the Philippine Cacao Industry Association (PCIA), is working on the Cacao Roadmap 2026-2030. This new five-year plan aims to elevate the industry and is expected to be finalized and submitted for approval by the end of 2025.
Before this, the industry followed the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap 2021-2025.
Key Objectives and Targets of the Cacao Roadmap 2026-2030 (as reviewed in October 2025):
The overall aim of the new plan is to make the Philippine cacao industry more productive, profitable, sustainable, and beneficial to all stakeholders.
1. Production Expansion:
- Target: Establish 52,500 hectares of new suitable cacao land by 2030, with an annual addition of 10,500 hectares.
- Priorities: Expansion will prioritize intercropping with coconut, monocropping, and diversified farming.
2. Yield and Quality:
- Target Volume: 100 metric tons of dry beans by 2030.
- Target Yield: Two kilograms of dry beans per tree.
- Strategy: Reliance on high-yield varieties and improved post-harvest practices to produce quality fermented beans.
3. Funding and Investment:
- Target: Generate over P1 billion for investments, facilities, and financing by 2030.
4. Infrastructure and Support:
- Establish at least 100 active accredited cacao nurseries across the Philippines.
- Produce 11,550,000 grafted seedlings annually.
- Strengthen farmer support by clustering farmers to enhance technical assistance, boost production, and improve marketing.
5. Market and Branding:
- Integrate efficient domestic and international market systems to comply with standards like those in the EU and US.
- Establish internationally recognized export brands for chocolate and cocoa-based products.
- Create a comprehensive Database and Geographic Information System (GIS) map to detail production areas for processors and traders.
Previous Roadmap (Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap 2021-2025):
The goals of the preceding 2021-2025 roadmap included:
- Producing 50,000 metric tons (MT) of quality fermented beans by 2025.
- Meeting the demand of the export and domestic markets.
- A general objective to harmonize production and post-harvest practices and establish a Philippine brand in the global market.
The new 2026-2030 plan builds on these efforts, with the private sector playing a leading role in its formulation, supported by the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).