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Sustainable practices in the cocoa value chain: a systematic literature review

Author

Listed:
  • Olarte Libreros, Mónica María

    (Fundación Capital)

  • Muñoz Maya, Carlos Mario

    (Universidad de La Salle)

Abstract

Introduction: This article identifies sustainable practices in cocoa farming, in the new scenarios of voluntary certifications and the circular economy. Objective: The main objective is to analyse and synthesise the sustainable strategies and approaches implemented in the cocoa value chain. Methodology: The PRISMA protocol was applied, which was used to define the 45 documents from the Scopus and Web of Science databases that were part of the systematic literature review with a publication range between 2016 and 2024. Results: Agroforestry widely emerges as the main production strategy to minimise the overall environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with cocoa production. Sustainable practices focus on production and governance aspects. Conclusions: In relation to sustainability standards, there is a transition from voluntary approaches to stricter regulations within the value chain that force cocoa producers to adopt sustainable investment decisions, which not only comply with environmental and labour standards, but also generate long-term benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Olarte Libreros, Mónica María & Muñoz Maya, Carlos Mario, 2025. "Sustainable practices in the cocoa value chain: a systematic literature review," Revista Tendencias, Universidad de Narino, vol. 26(1), pages 197-215, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000520:021336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Armando Borda & Oswaldo Morales & Hildy Teegen & Gareth H. Rees & Maria Alejandra Gonzalez-Perez, 2021. "Addressing Sustainable Rural Development with Shared Value: A Peruvian Model from the Cacao Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Oberlack, Christoph & Blare, Trent & Zambrino, Luca & Bruelisauer, Samuel & Solar, Jimena & Villar, Gesabel & Thomas, Evert & Ramírez, Marleni, 2023. "With and beyond sustainability certification: Exploring inclusive business and solidarity economy strategies in Peru and Switzerland," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Charnley, Susan, 2023. "Livelihood investments as incentives for community forestry in Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. Faustina Obeng Adomaa & Sietze Vellema & Maja Slingerland & Richard Asare, 2022. "The adoption problem is a matter of fit: tracing the travel of pruning practices from research to farm in Ghana’s cocoa sector," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 921-935, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    agriculture; environment; agricultural production; agricultural product;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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