The Cocoa Trading Programme will happen on 5-6 November 2020. This two-day foundational course is intended for new entrants to the Cocoa industry wishing to build up their knowledge. The course is priced at $950
This course provides individuals who have had little or no experience with cocoa, to develop competencies, skills, and knowledge needed for a career in this industry.
Upon completion of the programme, participants will appreciate the value of Cocoa throughout history fully, develop a deeper understanding of the commodity, the manufacturing process, know-how the cocoa trading chain functions, and risk management.
There is not much information we could find on the website, which is unfortunate. But we requested a brochure and now can confirm the course will be run by Deborah Lim with the listed bio saying:
Deborah is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience in the trading of commodities such as Rubber, Metals, Cocoa and Coffee. Deborah joined Lewis & Peat, a global commodity trader, in 1981. Her passion for cocoa trading has taken her all over the world where she gained vast knowledge of and experience in the entire value chain.
Deborah served on the board of Lewis & Peat Singapore and United Polymer Sdn Bhd Malaysia in 1986 and was the Head of Cocoa, Asia Pacific. She then started ICBT Far East, a physical cocoa and coffee physical broker, in collaboration with ICBT Ltd. UK and subsequently founded Cocotique Pte Ltd, an international cocoa trading company.
She has taught Cocoa Trading on the ITI@SMU since 2008 and was instrumental in pioneering the first cocoa programme for undergraduates on the International Trading Track in the Singapore Management University.
The Curriculum is as follows:
Phase 1 – Introduction
Introduction ‐Brief history of cocoa
Expansion between the 18th and 19th Century and first modern Bar
Cocoa growing regions
Where they are grown
Significant producing countries
Varieties of cocoa
Supply and demand
Top producing countries
Producers’ pattern of growth
Crop surpluses /deficit
World production & grinds vs. supply and demand
Asian production
Asian grind
Important fundamental & technical factors
Phase 2 – Farm to Manufacturing
The physical supply chain
Cultivation
Two‐crop harvest
Diseases
The supply chain
Shipping documentation
Example of a contract
Basic quality note
The manufacturing flow
Quality checks on beans’ arrival
Fluctuating beans characteristics
Production flow
Pricing
The international trade
Incoterms
Common terms used in Cocoa Trading
Trade Associations
Association rules commonly used
Why do Associations exist?
Dispute referred to arbitration, process and appeal
Do you have any other trading online course?
We don’t run it Michael, but I’ll send your message to the organisers