Světový obchod s kakaem se zaměřením na Ekvádor

This bachelor's thesis examines the global cocoa market, with a specific focus on the position of Ecuador. The aim of the thesis is to map the current state of the market and identify Ecuador's competitive advantages relative to African producers. The research question explores how Ecuador emerged as one of the leading cocoa producers and identifies the specific factors that contributed to this development. The thesis is structured into three chapters. The first chapter examines the historical and biological context of the commodity. The second chapter provides a detailed overview of global cocoa market developments between 2010 and 2024. The third chapter focuses on identifying specific competitive advantages. The objectives were met through a comparative analysis of scholarly literature and international databases. The findings indicate that Ecuador’s competitiveness stems primarily from its production quality, efficient cultivation methods, a resilient export structure, and its pricing mechanisms. Finally, the thesis recommends increasing investment in sustainable cultivation, particularly in response to European Union regulations, and expanding domestic processing capacities.