Frequently Asked Questions

BV Cocoa Products supplies nine cocoa derivatives from Cameroon:

• 🫘 Cocoa Beans
• 🧈 Cocoa Butter
• 🫙 Cocoa Powder
• 🍫 Cocoa Liquor
• ✨ Cocoa Nibs
• 🌿 Cocoa Husk (Shell)
• 🟫 Cocoa Cake
• ⬛ Cocoa Mass
• 🌑 Cocoa Paste

All products are supplied in bulk for B2B buyers including food manufacturers, importers, and distributors. View the full product range →

BV Cocoa Products supplies natural (non-alkalized) and alkalized (Dutch-process) cocoa powder in three fat content grades:

• Low fat: 10–12% cocoa butter
• Medium fat: 14–16% cocoa butter
• High fat: 20–22% cocoa butter

Natural cocoa powder has a pH of 5.0–6.0. Alkalized cocoa powder has a pH of 6.8–8.1. Specify your required type, fat grade, and pH range when submitting a trade inquiry. View cocoa powder specifications →

Natural cocoa powder is non-alkalized with a pH of 5.0–6.0. It has a lighter brown colour, a sharper more acidic cocoa flavour, and reacts with baking soda in recipes. It is used in baked goods, confectionery, and products where acidity is required.

Alkalized (Dutch-process) cocoa powder has a pH of 6.8–8.1. It is darker in colour, milder and less acidic in flavour, and disperses more easily in water — making it preferred for beverage mixes, ice cream, and applications requiring a darker colour and smoother taste. BV Cocoa Products supplies both types from Cameroon. Compare cocoa powder types →

BV Cocoa Products supplies cocoa butter in three grades, each available in natural (unrefined) or deodorized variants:

• Food grade — for chocolate and confectionery manufacturing (FFA ≤ 1.75%)
• Cosmetic grade — deodorized, for skincare, lip balms, and personal care (FFA ≤ 1.0%)
• Pharmaceutical grade — for suppositories and pharmaceutical formulations (FFA ≤ 1.0%)

Melting point is 32–35°C for all grades. Specify your required grade and variant (natural or deodorized) when submitting an inquiry. View cocoa butter specifications →

Yes. BV Cocoa Products supplies cosmetic-grade deodorized cocoa butter from Cameroon, suitable for skincare formulations, lip balms, body butters, hair products, and personal care manufacturing. Cosmetic-grade cocoa butter has a free fatty acid (FFA) content of ≤ 1.0% and is fully deodorized to remove the natural cocoa aroma. A Certificate of Analysis is provided with all cosmetic-grade orders. View cosmetic-grade specifications →

All three are 100% pure ground cocoa — identical in composition. The differences are physical:

• Cocoa liquor — pure cocoa in its liquid (melted) state above approximately 35°C. Requires heated tanker shipping.
• Cocoa mass — the same material cooled and moulded into solid blocks. Ships in standard dry containers. Melted before use.
• Cocoa paste — pure cocoa ground to a finer particle size (<50 microns) than standard mass (<75 microns), producing a smoother consistency. Used where a finer grind reduces downstream processing.

The choice between them is logistical, not compositional. Cocoa mass → · Cocoa liquor → · Cocoa paste →

Cocoa shells (cocoa husk) are the outer skin of the cocoa bean, separated during winnowing. BV Cocoa Products supplies them in bulk for four main applications:

• Animal feed — ruminant feed ingredient (cattle, sheep, goats) at controlled inclusion rates. Note: theobromine content (~1–2%) makes shells unsuitable for dogs, horses, or poultry.
• Organic fertiliser — natural soil amendment with ~2.7% nitrogen and ~2.6% potassium
• Garden mulching — retains moisture, suppresses weeds, improves soil structure
• Functional food & tea — cocoa shell tea and dietary fibre ingredient for health food applications

View cocoa shell specifications →

Cocoa nibs are roasted, winnowed cocoa bean pieces — 100% pure cocoa with no added sugar. They are used in three main markets:

• Industrial: grinding feedstock to produce cocoa liquor in-house
• Artisan / specialty chocolate: bean-to-bar production, single-origin chocolate
• Health food: granola, energy bars, trail mix, bakery inclusions, ice cream inclusions

View cocoa nibs specifications →

Cocoa cake is the solid residual produced when cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa liquor by hydraulic pressing. It is the primary raw material for cocoa powder production — milling (grinding) the cake produces cocoa powder. BV Cocoa Products supplies two grades:

• Low-fat cake (10–12%) — produces low-fat cocoa powder when milled
• Medium-fat cake (14–16%) — produces medium-fat cocoa powder when milled

Cocoa cake is also used as a high-protein (~18–22%) ingredient in ruminant animal feed. View cocoa cake specifications →

BV Cocoa Products supplies fermented and dried Cameroonian cocoa beans — the standard processing method that develops the cocoa’s characteristic flavour compounds. Beans are available for chocolate manufacturers and industrial processors who process beans in-house. COA confirms fermentation quality, moisture content, and bean count per lot. View cocoa beans specifications →

Fat content (cocoa butter percentage) varies by product:

• Cocoa mass / liquor / paste: ~48–56% cocoa butter
• Cocoa nibs: ~48–56% cocoa butter
• Cocoa powder (low fat): 10–12% cocoa butter
• Cocoa powder (medium fat): 14–16% cocoa butter
• Cocoa powder (high fat): 20–22% cocoa butter
• Cocoa cake (low fat): 10–12% residual cocoa butter
• Cocoa cake (medium fat): 14–16% residual cocoa butter
• Cocoa butter: ≥99% pure fat

All fat content values are confirmed in the Certificate of Analysis per lot.

BV Cocoa Products supplies both natural (non-alkalized) and alkalized (Dutch-process) cocoa powder as finished products. Buyers can specify their required pH range when placing an inquiry — alkalized powder is available across a range of pH values from approximately 6.8 to 8.1. Specify your required type, pH, fat content, and colour when submitting a trade inquiry so our team can confirm the available specification.

No. BV Cocoa Products is a B2B (business-to-business) supplier only. The company supplies bulk quantities exclusively to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and commercial food companies. Individual consumer orders, retail quantities, and small-batch hobby orders are not accepted.

No. BV Cocoa Products does not offer OEM or private label services. All products are supplied under the BV Cocoa Products brand in standard bulk commercial packaging. The company operates exclusively as a B2B bulk cocoa ingredient supplier.

Submit a trade inquiry through the Request a Quote page or the Contact page. Include your product requirements, grade, target quantity, destination country, and preferred timeline. Our team will respond within 2 business days with specifications, pricing, packaging options, and shipping terms. Submitting an inquiry is non-binding — you are under no obligation to place an order.

Minimum order quantities vary by product, grade, and destination. Submit a trade inquiry specifying your required product, volume, and destination country to receive accurate MOQ information. Generally, orders are structured around standard container loads (20ft or 40ft) or by metric tonne depending on the product and route.

Cocoa product pricing reflects international cocoa commodity market prices, processing costs, product grade, packaging specifications, and shipping terms (Incoterms). Because cocoa is an internationally traded commodity, prices fluctuate. Submit a trade inquiry for a current quotation — pricing is provided based on your specific requirements and current market conditions at the time of inquiry.

Payment terms are confirmed at the time of quotation and depend on the order value, buyer relationship, and destination. Standard international trade payment methods including Letter of Credit (LC), Telegraphic Transfer (TT/Wire), and Documentary Collection are applicable. Specific payment terms will be confirmed in the formal quotation provided after your trade inquiry.

BV Cocoa Products trades on FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), and CFR (Cost and Freight) as standard Incoterms. Other terms may be arranged on request. Specify your preferred Incoterms when submitting a trade inquiry and our team will confirm availability and pricing for your destination.

Yes. BV Cocoa Products supplies ongoing B2B buyers with recurring orders on agreed schedules. Long-term supply arrangements are discussed following an initial trial order. Mention your anticipated order frequency and annual volume in your trade inquiry to open a conversation about recurring supply terms.

Standard packaging for most products is 25 kg multilayer bags with PE inner liner. Alternative packaging formats — including different bag sizes or jumbo bags — can be discussed at inquiry stage for larger orders. Specify your packaging requirements in your trade inquiry and our team will confirm availability and any implications for pricing or lead time.

Yes. Samples are available for all nine cocoa products before any bulk commitment. BV Cocoa Products ships samples internationally. To request a sample, use the Sample Request form on the Contact page — specify the product, grade (e.g. natural or alkalized cocoa powder, fat content, deodorized or natural cocoa butter), and your full shipping address.

Sample availability and any associated costs are confirmed on a case-by-case basis at the time of request. Submit a sample request and our team will respond with details on sample quantity, shipping arrangements, and any applicable costs for your destination.

Yes. You can request samples of multiple products in a single request. Use the Sample Request form and select “Multiple products — specify below” then list the products and grades you need. Our team will confirm availability and arrange a combined shipment where possible.

Sample shipping timelines depend on your destination country and the shipping method used. Our team will confirm estimated delivery times when arranging your sample shipment. International courier services are typically used for sample deliveries to ensure reliable tracking.

BV Cocoa Products exports to buyers across eight major market regions:

• Europe — including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and others
• United States
• Canada
• Brazil
• Asia — including China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
• Middle East
• North Africa
• Australia

Buyers from other regions are welcome to submit a trade inquiry.

Most cocoa products ship by sea freight in standard 20ft or 40ft dry containers — including cocoa powder, cocoa butter (solid), cocoa beans, cocoa nibs, cocoa husk, cocoa cake, and cocoa mass. Products are palletised and secured for international transit. For warm-climate destinations or summer shipments of temperature-sensitive products (cocoa butter, cocoa mass, cocoa paste), reefer (refrigerated) containers may be recommended. Cocoa liquor in liquid form requires heated tanker shipping.

Lead times depend on the product, quantity, destination, and current production schedules. Specific lead times are confirmed in the formal quotation following your trade inquiry. Submit a trade inquiry specifying your required delivery timeline so our team can confirm feasibility and provide an accurate lead time estimate.

Importing cocoa products into the EU typically requires a Certificate of Analysis (COA), Certificate of Origin, phytosanitary certificate, and commercial invoice and packing list as standard export documentation. Depending on the specific product, additional documentation may be required. BV Cocoa Products arranges standard export documentation and can coordinate additional requirements on request. View Europe export information →

Cocoa products imported into the United States are subject to FDA food safety regulations and may require prior notice, FDA registration of the foreign supplier, and compliance with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). A Certificate of Analysis and origin certificate are standard. Buyers importing into the US should confirm their specific regulatory requirements and advise BV Cocoa Products at the inquiry stage. View US export information →

Most BV Cocoa Products cocoa derivatives have a shelf life of 24 months from production under correct storage conditions — cool (below 20°C), dry (below 65% relative humidity), away from strong odours and direct light. Cocoa butter in particular should be stored below 20°C to maintain solid form and prevent rancidity. Always store on pallets with good air circulation and keep packaging sealed until use.

BV Cocoa Products exports through Cameroonian ports. The Port of Douala is the principal export port for Cameroon’s cocoa derivatives. Shipping route, port of loading, and transit time to your destination port are confirmed in the quotation following your trade inquiry.

BV Cocoa Products provides the following documents as standard with every shipment:

• Certificate of Analysis (COA) — lot-specific quality parameters including fat content, moisture, pH, particle size, shell content, and microbiological results as applicable
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) — handling and safety information
• Certificate of Origin — confirms Cameroonian origin for import compliance

Additional documentation — phytosanitary certificates, fumigation certificates, packing lists, and destination-specific documents — can be arranged on request. View available documents →

Certification status (organic, fair trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, etc.) should be confirmed at the inquiry stage. Specify any required certifications in your trade inquiry and our team will confirm availability and any implications for pricing or lead time. View quality information →

Halal and kosher certification availability should be confirmed at the inquiry stage for your specific product and order. Mention your certification requirements when submitting a trade inquiry. Cocoa products are generally considered suitable for halal and kosher use, but formal certification must be confirmed per product and production lot.

Indicative product specifications are available on each product page on this website. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis are provided with sample shipments and bulk orders. For specific technical data sheets or additional documentation before placing an inquiry, contact BV Cocoa Products through the Contact page stating the product and document you require.

BV Cocoa Products is a B2B cocoa supplier and exporter based in Cameroon, operating under BV Holdings PLC as its parent company. The company processes and exports nine cocoa derivatives — including cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cocoa beans, and cocoa liquor — to food manufacturers, importers, and distributors worldwide. Learn more about BV Cocoa Products →

BV Cocoa Products operates under BV Holdings PLC as its parent company. The group structure provides corporate backing, institutional credibility, and operational stability for international trade relationships.

Cameroon is one of Africa’s leading cocoa-producing nations. Its equatorial climate, volcanic soils, and ideal altitude produce cocoa with a distinctive flavour profile valued by European and North American chocolate manufacturers. BV Cocoa Products processes cocoa close to its origin in Cameroon — preserving quality, maintaining traceability, and enabling authentic origin certification without intermediary layers. Read more about our Cameroon origin →

You can contact BV Cocoa Products through the Contact page — either via the Trade Inquiry form or the Sample Request form. BV Cocoa Products responds in English and French. Response time is within 2 business days for all trade inquiries and sample requests.