Exportation of Cocoa beans from Cameroon to Finland

The purpose of the Bachelor`s thesis was to determine whether cocoa beans can be exported successfully from Cameroon to Finland. The idea arose since the researcher wishes to be the leading representative of a successful company in Cameroon. The first chapter introduces the thesis process,the background of the project, the objectives, and the framework of the thesis study. The second chapter focuses on the history, composition of cocoa beans and cocoa standardization. The primary key of this thesis is to study the import and export process of cocoa beans from Cameroon to Finland. Times are fast changing, consumers’ demand and the ethical background of the produce is on the rise. The goal of the thesis was not just to make profit but also to change the lives of farmers therefore, the questionnaires is to find out every details about cocoa beans and background check in of respondents. Ten large scale cocoa farmers from South West Cameroon (Foko region) were selected randomly to participated in the survey and the results were analysed with SPSS 23. Primary and Secondary data was used. The farmers do not benefit sufficiently from the rise in prices and remain in poverty as their incomes fail to keep up with the rising production costs and Household expenses. The first part of the thesis Questionaraire focuses on distribution of respondents by their Socio-economic characteristics. Knowing the background of the respondents is vital to avoid child labour or force labour. More education level is very important in applying the right mechanism in cocoa farming to boost output and improve income. Face to face interview was used with farmers growing cocoa. Farm size ranges from 2 ha to 25 ha of land and one ha of cocoa field produces 400 kg of beans. Consumers are not just looking to buy the cheapest, most convenient products. Instead, they give careful ethical consideration to what is in their food, how it was produced and if it meets their definition of ecologically farmed and healthy ingredients. Only by understanding what people value can the producers in the supply chain better meet their need