El Ceibo is a federation of smallholder cacao cooperatives in Bolivia's Alto Beni, founded in 1977. It was among the first certified-organic cocoa cooperatives in the world and controls processing through to finished cocoa products at its facility near La Paz.
Country
Bolivia
Region
La Paz Department (Alto Beni)
Growing region
Americas
Coordinates
-15.50°, -67.10° (approx.)
Elevation
300-700 m
Producer
cooperative · El Ceibo
Genetic groups
admixture
Traditional class
mixed
Bean notes
Beans aggregated from member smallholder farms in Alto Beni; nine local genetic types are propagated through the cooperative's nursery system.
Harvest season
main Mar-Jun; smaller secondary crop later in the year
Fermentation
Centralised cooperative box fermentation.
Drying
Sun-dried, often under cover given high rainfall.
Flavour
fruity · nutty · honey · balanced cocoa
Certifications
organic, fairtrade
Updated
2026-05-22
Sources
Confectionery News: 'FAO supports El Ceibo cocoa cooperative in Bolivia' — https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2018/04/05/FAO-supports-El-Ceibo-cocoa-cooperative-in-Bolivia/
One World Award: 'The Cooperative Association of El Ceibo in Bolivia' — https://www.one-world-award.com/el-ceibo.html?lg=e