The richness of cocoa in Bahia has marked the history, culture, and gastronomy of the cities in the southern part of the state. Ilhéus is now the exponent of fruit cultivation in the state, and tourists are increasingly frequent in the region to visit the producing farms, in search of the experience that the chocolate route provides.
The municipality has received the Southern Bahia Scientific and Technological Park (PCTSul) and the Cocoa Innovation Center (CIC), which aim to study and develop strategies to assist farmers for better production.
In 1989, a plague known as witch broom was deliberately introduced into the country’s plantations, rendering the product unfit for commerce. The cocoa economy was shaken. While Brazil used to produce almost 400 thousand tons a year, today the forecast is that this number will reach 274 thousand, placing the country in fifth position among the largest producers.
To deal with the crisis, farmers are seeking alternatives to boost the economy and sustainability. One of the profitable sources for farmers is tourism in cocoa farms.
It is an opportunity for chocolate lovers to learn about the fruit’s production process, taste cocoa juice, and, as expected, savor the chocolates entirely produced in the region.
Discover some of the attractions for your itinerary:
Chocolate Festival
The chocolate route gained more visibility with the 9th edition of the festival in June this year, which brought 60 thousand visitors to Ilhéus and injected R$ 10 million into the economy.
Fazenda Yrerê
With 200 years of history, it has been welcoming visitors from various parts of the world for 11 years, while also maintaining its status as a producer of the fruit. The visits of nearly 4,500 tourists per year are more profitable than the 40 thousand cocoa trees planted.
Fazenda Provisão
Receiving tourists for nine years, Provisão spans 750 hectares and offers a tour of the cocoa plantation with historical information, guided by locals from the region. Of Portuguese origin, the farm can host up to 500 tourists per month.
Source: Portal Brasil