Cacao grows on trees – and like all trees, it fruits according to its environment. That means harvest seasons vary depending on where in the world it’s grown. Some origins harvest once a year, some twice, a few produce smaller volumes throughout. Availability is shaped by nature, not demand.
That means timing matters. This guide walks you through the 2026 cacao harvest calendar by origin, so you can plan ahead (we recommend pre-ordering 4 months before the season), secure the lots you want, and source with confidence all year round.
Download your printable 2026 cacao harvest calendar
Understanding Our Cacao Categories
We organise our cacao into four distinct categories, each reflecting sourcing volume, quality, and rarity:
Always Range
Our core, reliable offering. Sourced in higher volumes from long-term partners, with consistent quality across harvests.
Occasional Range
Seasonal and smaller in volume. These lots appear regularly but are only available during specific harvest windows.
Rare Range
Very limited quantities from specific producers or sub-groups. Distinctive, higher-priced, and often allocated quickly.
Micro Batches
Small experimental lots and new origins to try! The perfect way to explore what’s next, and occasionally discover future staples.
Photo from Latitude Trade Co.
Janvier may feel like the start of the year, but in cacao sourcing, we’re already in the midst of securing volumes with many of our partners. Many of the most sought-after origins reach peak harvest between Avril and Juin. Planning early allows us to allocate volumes, organise logistics, and ensure you receive the freshest lots.
Origins to pre-order in Q1:
Photo from Three Mountains Cocoa
By Avril, harvest is in full swing.
Customers who planned in Q1 will have secured their allocations. This is a good time to top up on origins with broader availability and begin planning for later in the year.
Origins to pre-order in Q2:
Summer brings some of the most distinctive origins into season.
These lots are often valued for their unique flavour profiles and strong provenance stories, making them ideal for seasonal releases or curated collections.
Origins to pre-order in Q3:
The final quarter brings a second harvest window for several South American origins, and a chance to step back and plan for the year ahead.
Origins to pre-order to Q4:
This is also the right moment to review your sourcing strategy: which origins to prioritise, what volumes you need, and how your range aligns with the harvest calendar.
Specialty cacao doesn’t operate on unlimited supply.
Volumes are determined by the harvest itself – not production forecasts. Once a lot is allocated, it’s gone until the next season.
Planning early helps you:
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