Over 80% of Peru's cacao produce is export-oriented, State-run National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (DEVIDA) highlighted on Wednesday.
According to Devida's Promotion and Monitoring Director Jose Chuquipul, cacao production has experienced significant recovery over recent years.
In this context, Chuquipul affirmed Devida's cacao business plans are aimed at improving and strengthening product quality, in order to increase output and competitiveness.
"We are verifying that the production chain is being fulfilled. However, we have to improve when it comes to organic certification and associativity of producers to obtain better quality [...]," he told Andina news agency.
"Over 80% of Peruvian cacao is exported as beans. The idea is to generate an end-product [...], and [therefore] to receive greater
economic benefits," he stated.
Lastly, Chuquipul underlined Devida provides assistance to farmers working on over 59,000 cacao hectares.
Remarks were made during the Cacao and Chocolate Route 2017, which comprised guided visits to plantations based in Ucayali and Huanuco regions.
It must be noted top foreign chocolatiers are taking part in such visits.
(END) JAM/MAO/JHM/MVB