SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 25, 2025 - Nestlé and its research partners have created a new cocoa core collection that captures more than 95% of the crop's global genetic diversity, laying a strategic foundation for a more resilient cocoa supply chain serving chocolate manufacturers and food producers worldwide. By consolidating genetic resources into a curated set of 96 varieties, the project aims to accelerate breeding of climate-resilient, higher-yield and quality-enhanced cocoa tailored to the needs of the global food and beverage industry.
A 'Noah's Ark' for cocoa genetics
The heart of the initiative is a core collection that condenses thousands of potential trees into a representative set of 96 cocoa varieties. This enables researchers and breeders to work on a manageable but comprehensive portfolio of genetic material, cutting time and complexity from pre-commercial research.
"Assembling the world's genetic diversity of cocoa into a well-curated collection, or a 'Noah's Ark' of cocoa diversity, not only makes sense from a conservation point of view," said Jeroen Dijkman, Head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences. "It will also allow us to uncover key traits that can be used in traditional breeding programs to safeguard the future of cocoa."
For buyers and product developers in the food processing and ingredients sector, this "Noah's Ark" approach provides a clearer pipeline for future cocoa varieties that can better withstand climate stress while supporting stable, long-term sourcing strategies.
Genomic technology meets field collections
The research, published in BMC Genomics, combines advanced genomic science with one of the world's largest living cocoa collections. Nestlé collaborated with The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), and Fox Consultancy to generate and interpret the underlying data.
Key elements of the program include:
- High-quality genome sequences produced through Penn State's Molecular Biology of Cacao research program
- Access to CATIE's extensive living cacao collection in Costa Rica
- Analysis of genetic similarities and differences across more than 300 cocoa varieties
The sequencing data is publicly accessible via the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, while the corresponding trees remain available at CATIE, Penn State and additional locations, supporting broader use by breeders, research institutes and industry partners.
Addressing climate risk in the cocoa and chocolate value chain
The project is positioned directly at the intersection of climate resilience and supply security. Cocoa yields and farmer livelihoods are increasingly threatened by shifting climate patterns, pests and diseases, exposing chocolate manufacturers and confectionery brands to raw material volatility.
Patrick Descombes, Senior Expert in Genomics at the Nestlé Institute of Food Safety and Analytical Sciences, explains the gap this work seeks to close: "Cocoa is a key ingredient in many of our products, especially chocolate. Yet, the fact that only a small percentage of global cocoa diversity is currently used in commercial production makes its supply chain more vulnerable to a fast-changing world. We leveraged cutting-edge genomic techniques, including deep sequencing of cocoa tree genomes, advanced data analysis, and bioinformatics, to explore genetic similarities and differences across over 300 cocoa varieties and establish this core collection."
For procurement, R&D and sustainability teams, a broader and better-understood genetic base creates new options to manage agricultural risk while maintaining quality and sensory profiles that consumers expect.
From genetic diversity to commercial traits
The core collection is designed not as an academic exercise, but as a platform to identify and propagate commercially relevant traits. Among the key targets are:
- Climate resilience and tolerance to heat and drought
- Resistance to major cocoa diseases
- Higher and more stable yields per hectare
- Sensory quality for differentiated chocolate products
By concentrating global genetic diversity into a workable set, breeding programs can move more quickly from lab to field trials and, ultimately, to farmer adoption. This in turn supports processors and brand owners seeking secure, sustainable sources of cocoa ingredients for long-term portfolio planning.
Beyond the bean: unlocking more value from the cocoa fruit
In parallel with the genomics work, Nestlé is testing new post-harvest approaches that make fuller use of the cocoa fruit. A patented technique uses underutilized parts of the pod, such as pulp and placenta, to produce cocoa flakes, opening additional value streams from the same crop.
These innovations sit alongside the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, the company's sourcing program that partners with farmers and organizations to improve agricultural practices, enhance farmer incomes and ensure responsible sourcing. Together, genetics, post-harvest innovation and on-the-ground programs form an integrated strategy to future-proof the global cocoa supply chain.
Strategic implications for global food and beverage players
For companies operating in the food processing and ingredients industry, this work signals a shift toward more science-driven, resilient commodity supply chains. A deeper, shared understanding of cocoa diversity can:
- Reduce long-term supply disruption risk for chocolate and cocoa-based products
- Support sustainability and ESG commitments tied to farming communities and land use
- Enable differentiated offerings based on flavor, quality or origin characteristics
With consumer demand for chocolate expected to remain strong globally, the ability to secure sustainable, high-quality cocoa becomes a strategic priority, not just a sourcing detail.
For full details on Nestlé's cocoa sustainability and innovation initiatives, visit https://www.nestle.com/.