Step #6: Inspecting and Selling the Cacao
First, early in the year buyers negotiate a sale with farmers based on a prediction of what the cacao market will be doing by the time of harvest.

Second, once the harvest rolls in, buyers come to inspect the crop. They slice open several seeds to make sure that they’ve properly fermented. (Purple centers indicate a poor fermentation process.)

If the seeds are satisfactory, the farmers will be given the current full market value or price of cacao.