Theobroma cacao trees grow in warm humid climates. These are tropical trees. Appropriate regions for their growth are those that are not more than 20 degrees north or south of the equator. The temperature range for optimal growth is 18-300C (64.40 F-860 F). The recommended mean is 26.60 C (79.88 0 F). These regions are often referred to as the "cacao belt" There are about 45 countries that produce cacao; however, 8 countries are the main producers, selling 80% of the world's cacao. These countries are located along the west coast of Africa, central and South America, and south-east Asia. Africa produces 65% of the world's cacao supply within which, the Ivory Coast produces 40% of the world's cacao. In Africa, most of the cacao is grown on small family plantations whereas, in Brazil, the largest producer in South America producing about 12% of the world's cacao, cacao is mainly grown on large plantations. Asia produces cacao on both small family owned plantations as well as large ones. The eight largest cacao producing countries are (in order from highest production to lowest):
Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Cameroon, Malaysia, and Ecuador.
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