Cocoa is cultivated primarily in countries located in the belt between 10ºN and 10ºS of the equator on account of the favorable climatic conditions. Cocoa plants thrive well in relatively high temperature environments with a maximum annual average of around 30ºC -32ºC and a minimum average of about 18ºC-21ºC. The demand for cocoa is increasing rapidly with the growth of chocolate confectioneries and other end-products.