Tablea Processing Systems in Davao, Philippines

The study aimed to establish baseline information on the postproduction systems of cacao processing so as to serve as basis for improving the quality of Philippine tablea. Currently, most of the tablea processors especially in village operation use poor postharvest practices and processing facilities. The chain actors involved in producing tablea products were the farmers, trader/consolidator, processor, distributor and consumer. Among these actors, processor earned the highest at P222.50 per kg while the farmer received the least income at P24.48 per kg. Utilizing processing equipment available, postharvest losses recorded at 16.13 percent. Farmers' problems were on the lack of drying facilities. Experienced difficulties of processors were on sorting, roasting, cracking, winnowing, grinding and packaging