Thanks to the cooperative, we’re not just farming cocoa, we’re protecting our forests and building a better future for our children."
A Legacy of Quality and Care
Founded in 2009, the Cooperativa de Exportação de Cacau de Qualidade (CECAQ-11) has transformed the landscape of cocoa production in São Tomé and Príncipe. Uniting 1,127 small-scale producers across 21 associations, the cooperative cultivates over 2,000 hectares of lush, volcanic land. Their goal is ambitious yet simple: to grow exceptional cocoa while preserving the natural heritage of the island.
Through their organic and fair trade certifications, CECAQ-11 has become a trusted source for ethical, high-quality cocoa, like the beans used in Tierra Madre chocolate. But beyond export labels and accolades, the cooperative is improving lives and landscapes.
Farming for the Future
What sets CECAQ-11 apart is a deep commitment to sustainability. Rather than clearing forests, the cooperative promotes agroforestry, planting cocoa among native trees and using traditional farming techniques passed down through generations. This approach not only boosts biodiversity but also helps farmers adapt to climate change.
The community forests they’ve established serve a dual purpose: preventing deforestation and supplying sustainable materials for local infrastructure. A carbon footprint study confirmed what members already knew: CECAQ-11’s cocoa is grown in harmony with nature, with lower emissions than conventional cocoa farming.
Fair Trade, Fairer Lives
Cocoa isn’t just a crop here, it’s a lifeline. For CECAQ-11’s members, cocoa accounts for about 60% of household income. By joining the cooperative, farmers have gained access to fair prices, training, and the global fairtrade market.
Fair Trade, Fairer Lives
Cocoa isn’t just a crop here, it’s a lifeline. For CECAQ-11’s members, cocoa accounts for about 60% of household income. By joining the cooperative, farmers have gained access to fair prices, training, and the global fairtrade market.
Oxfam Intermón, through more than 30 years of fairtrade work, supports CECAQ-11 and over 100 other cooperatives across the Global South. Each year, we purchase around €3 million worth of fairtrade goods, sustaining the livelihoods of roughly 60,000 people, one-third of whom are women.
Building a Movement
Our partnership with CECAQ-11 goes beyond buying beans. Together, we support community development projects, raise awareness of ethical consumption, and advocate for human and environmental rights. Our business model proves that trade can be both profitable and principled challenging the industry to do better.
