MIERU-CACAO uses ICT to connect
Ecuadorian cacao and chocolate from Japan and the world.
"MIERU-CACAO" adds value in safety and quality to product traceability—which clarifies the journey of cacao beans from farms—enabling the construction of a reliable cacao food value chain. By visualizing the entire supply chain from the harvesting, processing, and exporting of cacao beans to consumers in Japan and other global markets, "MIERU-CACAO" makes it possible to build a trusted food value chain.
Ecuador is the birthplace of cacao and one of the world's leading producers. Cacao beans are Ecuador's third-largest agricultural export, following bananas and flowers, and the country boasts the world’s top market share in premium, high-quality cacao. By visualizing the added value of Ecuador's high-quality cacao, we aim to deliver a new level of satisfaction to consumers, expand the fan base for Ecuadorian cacao, and improve the living conditions of smallholder farmers by enhancing sustainability across the entire supply chain.
Cacao Bean Price Trend
From 2025 to 2026, cacao bean prices have shown significant volatility. In 2025, prices reached historic highs against a backdrop of tight supply, exceeding USD 10,000 per ton in December 2025. However, the market environment changed rapidly in 2026, falling to USD 3,743.05 per ton (US commodity futures market) as of June. This represents a 9.48% decline month-over-month and a sharp 63.21% decrease year-over-year.
The main factors behind the price decline include:
- Recovery in harvest volumes due to improved weather in major producing countries
- Supply stabilization accompanying reduced disease risk
- Normalization of the supply-demand balance in the market
US Cocoa Futures Price
London Cocoa Futures Price
