Innovation & R&D
Advancing cocoa derivative science with labs and industry.
Cocoa Bridge Alliance
Bridging cocoa origin and global innovation
We connect producers, researchers, institutions, and industry to unlock the full derivative potential of cocoa — from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to biomaterials and the circular economy.
Key figures
The value gap we exist to close
- ~70%
- of world cocoa comes from West Africa
- <10%
- of cocoa's final value stays at origin
- 5
- CBA program pillars
- 2027
- CIDS summit — Fall, Connecticut, USA
Source: ICCO / World Bank
Source: UNCTAD cocoa value chain data
Research, processing, diplomacy, cooperatives, academia
Cocoa Innovation & Derivatives Summit
Sector figures are published estimates from international cocoa and trade institutions, not CBA operational results.
Five program pillars
CBA's operational engine for cocoa innovation
Local Transformation
Building processing capacity at origin in West Africa.
Economic Diplomacy
Opening global markets for cocoa-producing nations.
Cooperatives & Inclusion
Empowering smallholder farmers and cooperatives.
Academic Programs
Building the next generation of cocoa innovators.
Where to start
Read how the five pillars translate into concrete work at origin.
CIDS 2027 — Fall 2027
Cocoa Innovation & Derivatives Summit (CIDS) — Connecticut, USA
Producers, scientists, institutions, and industry meet to turn cocoa research into investment and market access.
Connecticut Convention Center — 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Research & insights
The derivative value of cocoa, explained
Cocoa butter: uses & benefits
Extraction, grades, skin and food uses, and the case for pressing at origin.
Read →Guide to cocoa derivatives
The full map of products derived from the cocoa pod, bean, husk, and shell.
Read →Cocoa processing at origin
Why local processing is the single largest lever on producer income.
Read →Partnership
Who can partner with the Cocoa Bridge Alliance?
Institutions, companies, universities, laboratories, cooperatives, and NGOs — each brings unique expertise to build a modern, sustainable, innovation-driven cocoa ecosystem.
See partnership pathwaysNewsletter
Stay informed about CIDS 2027
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