Cocoa is the main ingredient of the world’s most popular treat and provides a livelihood for millions of Africans and South Americans.

A collaboration between Mars Inc, USDA, IBM, NCGR, Clemson Indiana and Washington State Universities and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has just helped sequencing the genome of the cacao tree (over 35,000 genes identified). This major advancement will enable more efficient research and speed up the breeding process and its quality, thereby expediting the release of superior cultivated varieties of cacao. USDA officials confirm it does not involve genetic engineering but rather significantly improves the old, laborious way of breeding trees. For example, we could now extract the DNA of a cocoa tree and find out if its genes make it disease resistant and then replicate them. In the future, we could also make naturally tastier chocolate by replicating the ideal fatty acid trait during breeding (one of the keys to cocoa flavor)…

The main aim of the cacao genome sequence is to produce superior crops in terms of yield and social benefits without involving genetically modified organisms (GMO). Farmers in West Africa, which represent some 70% of the world’s cocoa production, have at times lost half of their crop due to diseases or drought, having terrible economic and social consequences on local economies (Ghana, Ivory Coast) and impact on global cocoa price and supply. Now, less natural resources will be needed because yields will be higher and steadier and soil less depleted.

It is ultimately a great news for us, chocolate fans, who will enjoy ever better chocolate, always at a great value. So a big thank you to all research partners who invested a lot in the genome sequencing and even decided to share the valuable information with the world!