Peru stands out in Amsterdam for its cocoa excellence

20-02-25

Peru's Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), through its commercial entity Agromercado, has strengthened the presence and commercial value of Peruvian cocoa at the recent international fair ‘Chocoa Amsterdam 2025’. This prestigious event, held in the Netherlands, brings together the main players in the cocoa value chain, focusing on the sustainability and quality of the product.

During the fair, Agromercado, in collaboration with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) and with the support of the Peruvian Export and Tourism Promotion Commission (Promperu), held a series of meetings with European buyers. These interactions showed a remarkable interest on the part of the companies in establishing alliances with Peruvian producer organisations capable of offering cocoa with certified traceability, quality and origin.

Among the companies that showed interest was Uncommon, a US importer specialising in cocoa beans, as well as cocoa products such as cocoa powder and butter. Also, Gaia Cacao, a Dutch company, offers small batch import services for distribution to niche European chocolatiers, directly connecting Peruvian family farmers with small chocolate manufacturers in Europe.

Another notable company is Craftings Markets, also from the Netherlands, which expressed interest in receiving samples of small batches of cocoa from the Peruvian regions of Amazonas and Huánuco. For its part, Zotter Chocolate, a well-known Austrian firm and current buyer of Peruvian cocoa, expressed its intention to increase purchase volumes, especially of beans with organic and fair trade certifications.

It is important to mention that, as of 2026, the new European regulation known as EUDR will come into force, which establishes stricter criteria for the import of agricultural products, including cocoa, with the aim of mitigating deforestation and forest degradation. Faced with this challenge, Midagri is implementing actions to support Peruvian producers in adapting to this regulation, thus ensuring the continuity of exports to the European Union.

In the framework of ‘Chocoa Amsterdam 2025’, Agromercado presented a paper entitled ‘Peruvian cocoa: history, origin, quality and flavours’ during the panel ‘Tourism with flavour: Harnessing sustainable cocoa and chocolate tourism’. This panel was organised by the Global Network of Cocoa and Cocoa Derivatives Tourism Destinations, under the leadership of Amora Carbajal. The presentation underlined the importance of promoting the diverse genetic varieties of cocoa grown by family farming producer organisations in Peru.

One of the aspects that captured the attention of the audience was the introduction of the ‘Peruvian Cocoa Route’. This initiative invites tourists to immerse themselves in the experience of cocoa cultivation and the production of its derivatives, travelling from the high jungle of Cusco to the Amazonian regions of San Martin, Ucayali and Madre de Dios. These routes not only highlight the exceptional quality of Peruvian cocoa, but also promote sustainable agroforestry practices and contribute to the economic development of local communities.

Peru's participation in ‘Chocoa Amsterdam 2025’ reinforces the international projection of Peruvian cocoa, highlighting its rich history, unsurpassed quality and commercial potential in global markets. In addition, Agromercado plans to launch a national campaign this year to promote domestic consumption of cocoa and chocolate, raising public awareness of the benefits and diversity of this emblematic product.

With these actions, Peru not only consolidates its position as a producer of high quality cocoa, but also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, innovation and the strengthening of local economies, aligning itself with the trends and demands of the international market.

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