Over the three-day event, direct sales exceeded S/44,000, directly benefiting the participating producers. Additionally, the business roundtable organized by Agromercado secured commercial commitments surpassing S/4.2 million, while the financial roundtable projected potential financing above S/3 million, with active participation from national financial institutions.
The festival also hosted the Regional Cacao Quality Contest, where the Aprocam Cooperative stood out by taking both first and second place, with scores of 7.67 and 7.17, respectively. Producer Juan Francisco Pasillo earned third place, highlighting the exceptional quality of cacao cultivated in the region. Agromercado also awarded prizes to the three best native cacao trees of Amazonas, recognizing the dedication and hard work of local farmers.
Beyond commercial activities, the festival served as a celebration of Amazonian cultural identity. Universities, cooperatives, and Awajún indigenous institutions participated in a vibrant parade, reinforcing community pride and cohesion. The Fabiola Salazar Leguía Intercultural National University of Bagua (UNIFSLB) also joined the event, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, research, and capacity building in support of local production chains.
This event was made possible through the collaboration of Devida, the Provincial Municipality of Utcubamba, Agromercado, the Regional Government of Amazonas, the Regional Technical Cacao Board, and APP Cacao. Its success demonstrates the potential of Amazonian cacao as a driver of economic and social development, and as a symbol of dignified, legal livelihoods for hundreds of vulnerable families.
With initiatives such as the Cacao and Chocolate Festival Amazonas 2025, the competitiveness of Amazonian cacao is being strengthened in both regional and national markets, capitalizing on the designation of origin granted to Bagua and Utcubamba since 2016. Furthermore, the event highlights the efforts of indigenous families who, with technical and commercial support, have chosen to pursue a legal, sustainable, and culturally significant activity.
The presence of Awajún families at the festival is a powerful display of their ancestral heritage and affirms that alternative development strategies are effective when rooted in cultural identity. Behind each chocolate bar lies a story of resilience and a firm decision to leave behind illegal crops in favor of a brighter, sustainable future.
