Mexico promotes sustainability in the cocoa-chocolate value chain

5th International Seminar on “Sustainability of the Cocoa-Chocolate Value Chain” – July 24–25, 2025

28-06-25

With a firm commitment to strengthening sustainability, competitiveness, and the integration of the various stakeholders that make up the cocoa and chocolate value chain in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the 5th International Seminar on “Sustainability of the Cocoa-Chocolate Value Chain” will be held on July 24 and 25, 2025. The event will take place at the Aurora Jiménez de Palacios Auditorium in the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico City and will bring together prominent institutional leaders, representatives from the productive sector, international organizations, academics, and specialists in finance, research, and rural development from Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Spain, Guatemala, and Mexico.

With four international events held previously, this seminar has established itself as a key space for strengthening strategic links between the different actors of the cocoa-chocolate chain, promoting the production of goods with a focus on quality, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. At a critical moment for the region, this gathering aims to leverage international synergies and local experiences to energize an industry with great economic and cultural potential.

Latin America currently represents 20% of global cocoa production and stands out as a global leader in the production of specialty cocoa, concentrating 80% of this market and maintaining an annual growth rate of 9%, according to the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). In contrast, Mexico is facing a complex situation: over the last decade, it has recorded a negative Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of -3.53% in cocoa production, accompanied by a more than 35% reduction in cultivated area.

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This contrasts with countries like Colombia, which in the same period reported a positive AAGR of 5.5%, reflecting more effective policies in terms of rural development, financing, and technical support.

In light of this scenario, Mexico has begun a process of reorienting and strengthening its public policies related to cocoa and chocolate, focusing on more sustainable production models, the use of scientific knowledge, and the active integration of all stakeholders in this valuable chain. The seminar serves as a key platform to foster these partnerships, share experiences, transfer technology, and open new avenues for financing and innovation.

The program includes keynote speeches by international figures such as Michel Arrion, Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), who will present an analysis of the global cocoa economy and the challenges faced by producing regions. Dr. Rosaura Ruíz, Secretary of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation, will also participate, presenting strategies to promote applied research and technology transfer.

One of the seminar’s highlights is the multilateral roundtable on productive and commercial exchange, featuring ambassadors from Brazil, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guatemala, along with representatives from Mexico’s Ministry of Economy. This forum aims to facilitate cooperation between producing countries and promote bilateral agreements that support fair trade and regional integration.

The cultural and social dimension of cocoa will also play a central role. Antonio Santos del Valle, President of the Tourism and Society Think Tank, will present the opportunities offered by cocoa from a cultural tourism perspective, highlighting its value as a symbol of identity, a driver of local development, and a cross-cutting element in sustainable community projects. The seminar will also examine cocoa’s participation in priority inclusion programs such as Sembrando Vida, and will feature Dr. René Orellana Halkyer, representative of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America, who will provide a regional perspective on economic development and sustainability.

The event will also address the impacts of technical support strategies in Mexico, the Colombian fine flavor cocoa model, and the potential of tourism as a tool to energize the cocoa market. The working sessions will explore the experiences of local producers, analyze the key role women play in the value chain, and promote effective business integration models that generate equitable benefits for all stakeholders.

The seminar is organized by the Chamber of Deputies (65th Legislature), the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA), the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, and Innovation, the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh), the National Institute for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP), and Genoma Cacao. For more information, interested parties can write to: seminariocacaochocolate@gmail.com.

The Aurora Jiménez de Palacios Auditorium is located at Av. Congreso de la Unión No. 66, Colonia El Parque, Venustiano Carranza District, Mexico City.

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