Frequently Asked Questions

We export fermented, sun-dried Nigerian cocoa beans of the Forastero (Amazon / Amelonado hybrid) type grown across Nigeria's cocoa belt. Grades available are Grade I and Grade II under the Nigerian and ISO 2451 grading limits, from both the main crop (around October to February) and the light crop (around April to September), plus traceable single-origin lots for buyers with due-diligence requirements.

The grade is determined by a cut test on a representative sample of beans. Grade I allows a maximum of 3% mouldy, 3% slaty and 3% insect-damaged, germinated or flat beans; Grade II allows up to 4% mouldy, 8% slaty and 6% other defects. Both grades must be properly dried, free of foreign matter and free of abnormal odours. Grade I commands a premium; Grade II is widely used by industrial grinders.

Our standard minimum is one full 20' container, which holds approximately 12.5–16 tonnes of bagged cocoa beans. [Confirm your MOQ — e.g. 1 × 20' FCL / 12.5 MT] Smaller sample lots are available by courier for evaluation.

Cocoa is priced against the international futures market (ICE London / New York) plus or minus an origin differential, so a fixed list price would be out of date within days. We quote per metric tonne FOB Lagos (or CFR/CIF your port) for a stated grade, crop, bean count and packing, with the price basis — fixed price or futures-referenced — agreed in the contract. Request a quotation and you will receive a written offer within two business days.

In jute bags, a 20' container typically takes 200–250 bags of 62.5–64 kg, i.e. roughly 12.5–16 tonnes net; a 40' container takes approximately 25 tonnes. Loose loading in a flexi-liner increases the payload of a 20' container to around 18–20 tonnes. We confirm the exact bag count and tonnage on the pro-forma invoice.

Yes. We dispatch representative samples (typically 500 g – 2 kg) by courier so that you can perform your own cut test, moisture test and roasting trial. [State your sample policy — e.g. samples free, courier at buyer's cost, credited on first order]

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate (Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service), fumigation certificate, FPIS quality / grading certificate, weight certificate and, where requested, a third-party inspection certificate and certificate of analysis. For EU buyers we can supply farm geolocation data for EUDR due-diligence statements on traceable lots.

We offer identity-preserved lots from named producing areas with farmer registers and GPS plot data to support buyers' EU Deforestation Regulation due diligence. Compliance under EUDR rests with the operator placing cocoa on the EU market; our role is to supply beans with the origin data and segregation you need to make that statement. See our Traceable Single-Origin Lots page for details.

Typical terms for new buyers are an irrevocable letter of credit at sight or a deposit with balance against shipping documents. Terms are confirmed on the pro-forma invoice. [Confirm your standard payment terms — e.g. 30% advance, 70% against copy of B/L; or 100% LC at sight]

During the main-crop season, orders of one to several containers typically ship within [e.g. 3–4 weeks] of contract confirmation and deposit/LC, subject to vessel schedules. Lead times are longer in the light-crop season and for large programmes. A firm shipment window is stated at quotation.

Both. FOB Lagos is our standard basis. We also quote CFR or CIF to major destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas through our freight-forwarding partners. FCA and EXW are available for buyers who prefer their own forwarder to take control at origin.

Yes. Buyers are welcome to appoint SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, Cotecna or another agency to sample, cut-test, weigh and supervise container stuffing. We coordinate scheduling and access. Inspection fees are normally for the buyer's account unless otherwise agreed.

Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, with access to Lekki Deep Sea Port. For Cross River origin we can also arrange shipment via Calabar or Onne where services allow.

Nigerian cocoa is shipped mainly to the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy and other EU markets; to Malaysia, Indonesia, India and China in Asia; to Turkey and the Middle East; and to North America. If your destination is not listed, contact us — we will confirm feasibility and documentation requirements.

We do not claim certifications we cannot evidence. [State any certifications you actually hold — e.g. Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, organic — with certificate numbers, or remove this FAQ.]