Safeguarding the Global Cocoa Supply Chain: Nestlé Maps 95% of Cocoa Genetic Diversity
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.