This is the first episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
The guest on this podcast series is Antonie Fountain, managing director and co-founder of VOICE Network (cocoa) and VOCAL Alliance (coffee).
In this series, Lee and Antonie explore the state of the cocoa industry with particular attention on the impact recent price spikes are having on producers and the sustainability of the market at large.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Antonie discuss how cacao is a primarily export-focused product, cultivated mostly in just eight countries.
Antonie provides insights into the specialized market of cacao, including its unique heirloom qualities and the limited appreciation for good quality chocolate.
He explains his role in sustainable cocoa and the extensive relationships he maintains with various stakeholders across the globe.
They also explore the narrow power dynamics in cacao trading, contrasting it with coffee and discussing its concentrated market structure.
The episode wraps up with a teaser for upcoming discussions about recent trends and price shifts in the cacao market.
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