Harvesting of Cocoa

The tree comes into bearing in the 4th year. The fruit takes about 5 months to develop into maturity. The main harvesting period (Kandy, Matale, Badulla and Monaragala districts of Sri Lanka) is from October to January, while a smaller crop is available for May to July. In the Kalutara district a continous harvest is obtained from May to January.

A harvest is possible every 7-10 days during the season. Pick only the fully ripe pods which are usually orange or yeallow coloured. If pod rot is prevalent, the fruits may be picked slightly earlier to prevent losses due to disease. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit stalk. Exercise care when cutting, not to damage the flower cushions or bark as pod rot infection can easily spread through the wounds. A man can pick up to 1,500 pods per day.

Open the pods as soon as possible after picking, using preferably a wooden mallet. When pods are opened with a knife, some beans tend to damage. Collect the wet beans in gunnies or cane baskets but never in iron or copper vessels.