CCN-51, a high-yielding, disease-resistant cacao variety, has become a staple in the commodity Cacao Industry, especially in regions affected by witches’ broom disease. Its traits offer stability for many producers, but the growing dominance of this single variety has raised concerns among industry experts.
In this article, we’ll explore how the prevalence of CCN-51 affects the fine cacao sector, why certain chocolate makers oppose its production, and the ongoing efforts to safeguard cacao diversity for future generations.
Understanding CCN-51
The story of CCN-51 begins with a formidable foe: the witches’ broom fungus. This devastating pathogen, which originated in the lower Amazon basin, has wreaked havoc on cacao crops across several producing nations in South America and the Caribbean over the years.
One of the most significant outbreaks occurred in the late 1890s, crippling the cacao industry in Suriname and resulting in an 80% loss of production. Other countries, including Guyana, Colombia, Ecuador, Trinidad, Tobago, Peru, Grenada, Panama, and Brazil, faced severe impacts from this fungus at various times throughout the 20th century.
In the 1960s, in response to the catastrophic effects of witches’ broom in Ecuador, independent plant scientist Homero Castro developed CCN-51 (Colección Castro Naranjal 51). This hybrid cacao tree was engineered to be highly productive and resistant to diseases, effectively replacing the less resilient varieties that were suffering significant losses. By the late 1990s, CCN-51 began to dominate cacao production in fine cacao regions of Ecuador, reshaping the landscape of the industry.
In this article, we’ll explore how the prevalence of CCN-51 affects the fine cacao sector, why certain chocolate makers oppose its production, and the ongoing efforts to safeguard cacao diversity for future generations.
Understanding CCN-51
The story of CCN-51 begins with a formidable foe: the witches’ broom fungus. This devastating pathogen, which originated in the lower Amazon basin, has wreaked havoc on cacao crops across several producing nations in South America and the Caribbean over the years.
One of the most significant outbreaks occurred in the late 1890s, crippling the cacao industry in Suriname and resulting in an 80% loss of production. Other countries, including Guyana, Colombia, Ecuador, Trinidad, Tobago, Peru, Grenada, Panama, and Brazil, faced severe impacts from this fungus at various times throughout the 20th century.
In the 1960s, in response to the catastrophic effects of witches’ broom in Ecuador, independent plant scientist Homero Castro developed CCN-51 (Colección Castro Naranjal 51). This hybrid cacao tree was engineered to be highly productive and resistant to diseases, effectively replacing the less resilient varieties that were suffering significant losses. By the late 1990s, CCN-51 began to dominate cacao production in fine cacao regions of Ecuador, reshaping the landscape of the industry.