Market Research for Tanzanian Cocoa in the U.S. Market at IESC Tanzania

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The International Executive Service Corps (IESC) Jobs 2024

Scope of Work
Market Research for Tanzanian Cocoa in the U.S. Market
Description of the Program:
Improving
Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead
implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F)
to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and
growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small,
and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical
assistance. IESC
has designed a thematic F2F program to generate sustainable,
broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the agricultural sector
with a special focus on assistance to women and youth. Focusing on
Kenya, Tanzania, and Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local
partner organizations and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from
the U.S. agriculture, corporate, and banking sectors to address
systemic capacity constraints for farmers and lenders in each targeted
country and unlock finance for improved agricultural production leading
to utilization of agricultural technologies and increased sales and
incomes.

Problem Statement:
Today, chocolate is a
highly demanded luxury product in the world. While the developed world
consumes 90% of the chocolate produced every year, most of that
chocolate wouldn’t exist without cocoa production in Africa. Cocoa
production began in Tanzania in the late 1960s, but it has not been
significantly promoted or developed as a cash crop over the past 60
years. Buyers have reconnected with Tanzania’s cocoa producers, so there
are now new market opportunities for Tanzanian cocoa.

One
company in Tanzania has recently entered the cocoa value chain, and they
are exploring opportunities to export their cocoa products (beans and
nibs) to the U.S. F2F A2F is recruiting a U.S. citizen or permanent
resident volunteer expert to provide support to the company in Tanzania
to conduct market research for Tanzanian cocoa beans and nibs in the US
market, and inform them on US market potential on specific products,
including Rainforest Alliance-certified cacao beans and nibs. The
volunteer expert will help to assess the company’s cocoa fermentation
process and quality of cocoa and help to develop a market strategy to
penetrate US markets and, ultimately, increase company sales and the
incomes of Tanzanian cacao farmers.

Objectives of the Assignment:  
1. Conduct US market research on Tanzanian cocoa products and provide recommendations for US market entry.
2. Assess the host cocoa fermentation processes and quality of cocoa produced.

Deliverables:
1.
Market research report with recommendations, including a specific list
of initial target customers for Rainforest Alliance-certified cacao
beans and nibs
2. PowerPoint presentations, including recommendations on market/brand messaging for Tanzanian cacao beans and nibs

3. Trip report
Anticipated US and In-Country Schedule for Assignment: