Hello, Fiorella here.
Founder of Kaukawa Cacao and Women of Cacao.
I’ve just returned from a deeply immersive week in the world of cacao & chocolate at Chocoa 2026, held from February 16–22 in Amsterdam.
On Day 4, as part of Cocoa Talks, I had the opportunity to present the work of Women of Cacao, as well as share my personal story and my relationship with cacao as a ceremonial drink. It was a meaningful moment to bring the ceremonial perspective of cacao into a predominantly commercial and trade-focused space.
I chose to attend as a partipant, observer and cacao woman, with the intention of understanding the global cacao landscape from within an international trade fair context, and to witness the Cacao of Excellence (CoEx) work, organizaiton in hwich I studied and workes last year at their research and development laboratory in Italy.
I went with three clear intentions:
- To understand cacao beyond the sustainable chocolate narrative.
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To closely observe the scientific evaluation and award processes recognizing quality cacao at origin from CoEx.
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To identify opportunities and similar actors for Women of Cacao. Persons who are valuing the presence of women in teh value chain of cacao and chocolate.
What I can share with you is that the cacao industry is still full of contrasts.
The Global Cacao Reality
95% of the world’s cacao is traded as a commodity.
Only 5% of the market works directly from the bean, developing bean-to-bar lines or specialized departments that truly value origin, traceability, and quality.
Peru currently ranks 8th as a producer of fine and organic cacao (2025), surpassed in South America by Ecuador and Brazil. However, Africa continues to dominate global production, with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana as cacao leader supplyers, a big portion of their porduciton goes to the European market.
Understanding the cacao value chain is essential. It involves:
Producer → Association/Cooperative → Buyer → Importer (Sourcer) → Client → Consumer
At events like Chocoa, three main profiles converge:
Producers, Processors, and Chocolate Makers.
Here are the 7 Key Insights from Chocoa 2026 I would like to share with you:
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Commodity cacao prices are declining in 2026, while requirements are increasing: organic certifications, environmental regulations, and upcoming plastic-related policies.
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European sourcers and traders were key players, adding value through internal traceability & quality protocols.
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Africa maintains dominant production volumes with Ivory Coast as leader of cacao producer: 1,78 million tons of cacao and Ghana qith 700,000 tons of cacao. Most of this production is sold as "bulk cocoa". Ecuador is taking the third position.
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Cacao of Excellence remains the only organization that scientifically and anonymously evaluates and awards producers directly.
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The Seguine Cacao Auction , the first historic cacao acution at Chocoa took place, where the highest price was awarded to a cacao lot from Cusco, Peru. 32.5 euros per kilo was bidded for Juan Laura the Chocolate Farmer, gold winner from the 2023 Cacao of Excellence Awards Edition. Here is more information.
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Cacao is expanding beyond chocolate: beverages, mucilage, nibs, butter, and new applications are emerging. New trends of consumers of asking less sugar and demanding for a more healthy, bio-functional product. Ceremonial cacao is gaining visibility and potential. This is great news, we need to expand more!
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Added value and storytelling are decisive — consumers increasingly demand real traceability and an authentic connection to origin.
Our Place in This Industry
At Kaukawa Cacao, we believe cacao is not just an ingredient nor a commodity — it is a sacred plant.
Our mission is to position ceremonial cacao within the sustainable market by processing the bean at origin, working with native and organic varieties grown in agroforestry systems, ensuring fair payment to producers, and promoting education around cacao as a superfood aligned with ancestral cultural practices.
While the global market continues to move by volume, we choose to move by value, identity, and origin.
We are building a path where cacao is not only commerce, but consciousness.
And this being said, I am more than happy to find myself in this role of educator, bridging origin/culture and quality together. Acknowledging both the science and quality control, as well as the origin and working in the field.
I love cacao for infinite reasons, and my personal intention is for this planet to have availability of high quality well cared for cacao in the world.
Respecting origin and cocreating together.
More insights, deeper reflections, and future opportunities for cacao will be shared in Chapter 2, Chocoa 2026. Stay tuned!
Love,
Fiorella