Our Plantations
In the Lobaye region of the Central African Republic, ACACIA develops more than 100 hectares of agricultural land: 70 hectares of cocoa and 30 hectares devoted to wild African pepper, Piper guineense — with further area under development.
LOCATION
Lobaye — Central African Republic
GPS POSITION
VIEW ON MAPINTERACTIVE MAP
Our plots in the Lobaye
100 hectares of cocoa & gorilla pepper in N'Dolobo
An agro-industrial plantation of 100 hectares in the Central African Republic, combining 70 hectares of cocoa (Mercedes hybrid) and 30 hectares of gorilla pepper (Piper guineense) — a rare, endemic Central African spice traditionally wild-harvested, here cultivated in a structured way for the first time. The project starts in January 2027.
Estimated production at full maturity (2036)
| Crop | Surface | Yield at maturity | Annual production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa | 70 ha | 1,200 kg/ha | ~84 tonnes/year |
| Gorilla pepper | 30 ha | 1,000 kg/ha | ~30 tonnes/year |
| Total | 100 ha | ~114 tonnes/year |
Production ramps up gradually: Mercedes cocoa enters production from 18 months after planting, pepper 2–3 years after cuttings; the whole estate reaches full yield between 2033 and 2036.
Planned workforce
The team spans agricultural workers, team leaders, technical and administrative staff, guards, and a management team (Plantation, Administration & Finance, Operations, HR & ESG).
Impact on the N'Dolobo region
At cruising rate, the plantation directly employs 152 people. Applying the average Central African household size (5.6 people — MICS6 RCA 2018–2019 survey), the livelihoods of about 850 people depend directly on the jobs created — before counting indirect effects on the local economy (suppliers, shops, services). The project also builds local agricultural skills and structures a value chain from plot to finished product, in an area where natural resources remain largely untapped.
- ≈ 850 people sustained directly by the 152 jobs created;
- rural employment and development of local agricultural skills;
- structured local value chain — nursery, harvest, fermentation, drying, sorting, conditioning;
- emergence of a premium origin: N'Dolobo — Lobaye, Central African Republic.
Estate layout
The 110-hectare estate is organised into 20 management blocks of 5 ha each, served by an internal track network and a 1.1 km main track. The 14 cocoa blocks (70 ha) form the northern band; the 6 pepper blocks (30 ha) form the southern band, separated by the main track. Five technical areas are grouped at the head of the estate: offices and the plantation manager's house, a nursery, a reserve for extension, and two dedicated drying and storage areas — one for cocoa, one for pepper. Planting proceeds in successive waves from 2027 to 2030.
2026 season production
Figures for the 2026 season are being consolidated on the ground. Planted area, actual yields and harvested volumes will be published here once verified plot by plot.
Wild pepper (Piper guineense)
Campaign · Harvest August – October 2026
- Area in production
- To be confirmed
- Actual yield
- To be confirmed
- Dried pepper harvested
- To be confirmed
Cocoa (Mercedes material)
Campaign · Main crop October 2026 – March 2027
- Area in production
- To be confirmed
- Actual yield
- To be confirmed
- Dry beans harvested
- To be confirmed
Annual plantation tracking
Planted area, estimated yield and actual production rate per hectare, recorded season after season. Empty values are awaiting field confirmation.
Block tracking, 2027 → 2036
Each of the 20 management blocks of 5 ha is tracked individually: planting year, surface, estimated yield for the selected season and actual recorded rate. Actual figures are added campaign after campaign.
WILD PEPPER · 30 HA
Bringing an exceptional wild pepper back to life
In the heart of the Lobaye, in the Central African Republic, we are developing a 30-hectare agricultural project dedicated to wild African pepper, Piper guineense.
Naturally present in the tropical forests of Central Africa, this rare pepper stands out for its powerful aromatic character, its woody and vegetal notes, and an identity deeply tied to its terroir.
Our ambition is simple: to move from a mostly wild-harvested supply to a structured, sustainable and traceable agricultural production — while preserving the characteristics that make this pepper so singular.
A 30-hectare project
The plantation is designed as an agricultural system integrated with its environment. Across 30 hectares, our goal is to progressively develop a controlled production of wild pepper, selecting the plants best suited to the natural conditions of the Lobaye and the individuals showing the best agronomic and aromatic qualities.
The crop is built around several principles:
- maintaining a vegetal environment favourable to the liana;
- use of natural tutors where possible;
- selection and multiplication of the best plants;
- limited inputs;
- manual harvest;
- drying and sorting carried out with particular attention to quality;
- traceability from plot to finished product.
Agriculture inspired by the forest
Piper guineense is a liana naturally adapted to humid tropical environments. Rather than attempting to reproduce an intensive agricultural model, our approach draws inspiration from its natural ecosystem.
The plantation is therefore developed along agroforestry logic, combining agricultural production, maintenance of vegetation cover and sustainable land stewardship. This approach preserves soil balance, fosters biodiversity, and gives the pepper the shade and humidity it needs to develop.
From plot to dry pepper
Harvest takes place when the clusters reach optimal maturity. The fruits are then sorted and dried to concentrate their aromas and yield a stable pepper suited to commercialisation.
At full production, the technical yield target for the 30 hectares is being reassessed against the yields actually recorded on the plots and will be published once confirmed. The early years will also serve to identify the most productive plants and the most interesting aromatic profiles, in order to progressively improve the plantation's performance.
Creating more value in the Central African Republic
This project goes beyond producing pepper. Our intent is to build a local value chain — from production through to sorting, drying and conditioning.
The plantation's development should progressively contribute to:
- the creation of rural jobs;
- the development of local agricultural skills;
- the valorisation of natural resources still largely unstructured;
- the emergence of a premium product associated with the Central African Republic — Lobaye origin.
A pepper, a terroir, an origin
Through this project we wish to introduce a product still largely unknown in Europe: a wild African pepper from the forests of the Lobaye.
- A product with a story.
- A clearly identified origin.
- Producers and communities behind every harvest.
And above all, an ambition:
to make the Lobaye a recognised origin for characterful African peppers.
Wild pepper project at a glance
- · 30 hectares in the heart of the Lobaye
- · Piper guineense — wild African pepper
- · Agroforestry cultivation
- · Manual harvest · careful drying and sorting
- · Annual dried pepper target: being updated
- · Origin: Lobaye — Central African Republic
COCOA · 70 HA
70 hectares of cocoa in the heart of the Lobaye
Developing high-performing, sustainable cocoa farming anchored in its terroir.
In the Central African Republic, in the Lobaye region, we are developing a 70-hectare cocoa plantation using improved planting material of the « Mercedes » type, recognised for its precocity and production potential.
Our goal is to build modern, responsible and sustainable cocoa farming, able to combine agronomic performance, environmental preservation and the creation of local value.
70 hectares as a genuine agricultural project
The plantation will in time hold close to 100,000 cocoa trees, including plants destined for replacement and plot renewal. Establishment relies on structured agronomic management:
- selection of high-performing plants;
- reasoned plot preparation;
- shade management;
- fertilisation adapted to soil characteristics;
- regular pruning and maintenance of cocoa trees;
- sanitary monitoring of plantations;
- manual harvest of pods;
- controlled fermentation and drying of beans;
- traceability from plot to merchant cocoa.
A plantation designed for agroforestry
Our vision of cocoa does not rest on intensive monoculture. The project is developed along an agroforestry approach, associating cocoa trees with different plant species that recreate the natural conditions favourable to their development.
Shade trees and associated crops help protect soils, maintain humidity and foster biodiversity. Bananas and plantains can in particular provide shade for young cocoa trees during the first years, while generating complementary production. This approach builds a more resilient agricultural system, better adapted to the natural conditions of the Lobaye.
Early, high-potential cocoa
The Mercedes-type planting material is sought in particular for its capacity to enter production more quickly than traditional cocoa trees. The first harvests can appear within the first years following planting, before a progressive rise to cruising yield.
At maturity, the production target for the 70 hectares is being reassessed against the yields actually recorded and will be published once confirmed. These performances naturally depend on climatic conditions, soil quality and the agronomic management of the different plots. Our approach therefore favours a controlled, sustainable progression rather than short-term yield chasing.
From pod to bean
A cocoa's quality does not depend only on field production. After harvest, pods are opened and the beans undergo a rigorous process of fermentation then drying. These steps are essential to the development of aromas and to final cocoa quality. Our objective is to progressively master this whole chain in order to offer a cocoa that is traceable, homogeneous, correctly fermented and dried, identified by its Lobaye — Central African Republic origin.
Produce locally, create value locally
The development of the 70 hectares must also help structure a durable economic activity around the plantation. The project generates needs in:
- nursery,
- planting,
- plot maintenance,
- harvest,
- fermentation,
- drying,
- sorting,
- storage and logistics.
Our ambition is to foster the development of local skills and progressively create permanent and seasonal jobs in a rural setting.
Giving Central African cocoa its place again
The Central African Republic has forest terroirs naturally suited to tropical crops. Through this plantation, our ambition is also to help a new cocoa origin emerge in Central Africa.
- An origin still little known.
- A cocoa from a preserved forest terroir.
- A controlled production from plot to bean.
And a clear ambition:
to make the Lobaye a terroir recognised for the quality of its cocoa.
Our agricultural project in the Lobaye
- · 70 hectares of cocoa
- · ≈ 100,000 cocoa trees
- · Agroforestry cultivation
- · Manual harvest
- · Controlled fermentation and drying
- · Annual dry cocoa target at maturity: being updated
- · Origin: Lobaye — Central African Republic