A surprise for me - Australia grows cocoa beans
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (391608)
Rockingham, Australia
August 16, 2026 3:56am CST
I was very surprised to learn that Australia produces cocoa beans in addition to producing its own chocolate. I have to admit I hadn’t thought about it much but it seems we have trees growing commercially in far-north Queensland, north-west Western Australia and around Darwin in the Northern Territory. I guess the trees like a hot climate. Producers do rely heavily on imported cocoa beans but domestic manufacturers supply roughly 70-75% by volume of Australian chocolate consumption.
Australian researchers have found that the flavour of the chocolate depends to a large degree on where the cocoa was fermented, and this has a larger influence on flavour than the plant itself. Three Queensland locations were chosen for the first project into this idea and researchers are hoping Australia will one day have ‘chocolate regions’ much as it now has ‘wine regions’.
The photo is mine but I can't remember where it was taken.
24 people like this
23 responses
@toniganzon (82859)
• Philippines
16 Aug
Interesting. Our country was the very first country in Asia to grow cocoa.
3 people like this
@toniganzon (82859)
• Philippines
17 Aug
@JudyEv They make chocolates! Chocolate drink, chocolate bars, etc.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (142730)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Aug
That is great. I wish I could grow them here.
2 people like this
@nawala123 (25935)
• Indonesia
16 Aug
it is expensive that copper. australia is very wide. such plant will make australia wealthier than before. all love chocolate
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (391608)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
They are not producing huge amounts yet but gradually there is more and more chocolate being produced.
@JudyEv (391608)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
@nawala123 I know we have a lot of your countryfolk in the orchards and vineyards.
@nawala123 (25935)
• Indonesia
17 Aug
@JudyEv a good beginning. many indonesians work in australian plantations
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (196122)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Sep
How interesting. I'm such a chocoholic. Interesting picture.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (13208)
• Philippines
27 Aug
I guess that is true, other products in our country even mangoes have different level of sweetness and taste depends on the places it was harvested, so I guess it is the same with the cocoa.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (92806)
• United States
17 Aug
That's interesting to learn that Australia produces cocoa beans. Certainly would be great if one day there's chocolate regions. I love the picture you posted
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22672)
• United States
18 Aug
Love those unicorns. I didn't know Australia had chocolate.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (215148)
• United States
16 Aug
Needless to day..that's a surprise to me too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (391608)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
I guess there are a great many things that I don't know about our own country.
@crossbones27 (54246)
• Mojave, California
16 Aug
I believe Queensland said I could come back one day, but they said I need chocolate or money ah, I just show up and they all give me big hugs and chocolate and monies and then I go Australia is cool. 
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (102410)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Aug
That is interesting and something I didn't know either. Of course curious me had to know so look at this
Australia's chocolate market was valued at approximately AUD 1.41 billion as of 2025, reflecting significant growth in the industry. The country produces a variety of chocolate products, catering to both mainstream and premium markets.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (391608)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
Thinking back, we went to a chocolate factory so that would have been where I picked them up.
