Transforming Waste into Value by using Technology & Data
Better quality. Full traceability. Less waste. More impact!
Cacao-Tech is transforming the cacao industry by using exciting technology and whole-pod processing. We improve cacao quality, introduce a tracking system, and valorize more fruit, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
The Problem
Cacao is a multi-billion-dollar industry, yet its revenue is unfairly distributed. The supply chain is fragmented, with middlemen taking a large share while smallholder farmers struggle to earn a living. Instead of being rewarded for quality, they are often penalized with price discounts, leaving little incentive for investing and improvement.
At the same time, 80% of the cacao pod is wasted—only the beans make it to market. The pulp could be used for nutritious beverages and the husks for organic fertilizer or biobased applications. If fully utilized, 22 million tons of waste could generate €302 million (or more) in additional value.
The industry also lacks proper quality control and traceability, making it hard for buyers to verify origins and standards. Farmers lose, resources are wasted, and the cacao system remains inefficient.
Our Solution
Cacao-Tech introduces a circular, data-driven approach that maximizes cacao’s
potential. We use scanning technology to assess cacao quality and a tracking system that securely traces the pods back to their farmers.
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We detect key indicators for high-quality cacao in a matter of seconds.
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The data is stored securely and linked to time and geolocation, ensuring full transparency. Different stakeholders can log into the system.
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Our model allows global scalability, making better cacao and better data accessible to all.
With our system, farmers are incentivized to separate quality batches, processors get
reliable data, and brands meet deforestation-free requirements while reducing waste.
The consumer can see the impact of their purchase. Everyone wins.
