Similarly, Fedecacao and the Alisos Foundation carried out a Regional Exchange Tour on Agroecological Practices in Caquetá, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Meta. Participants shared knowledge on agroecological management, post-harvest handling, and bean quality, which helped consolidate a network of producers committed to sustainability and resilience in the face of climate and market challenges.
These activities show that cacao is not only an agricultural crop but also a tool for community development, environmental sustainability, and peacebuilding in regions historically affected by conflict.
Innovation and entrepreneurship with female leadership
The magazine also highlights the completion of an innovation and entrepreneurship program aimed at women cacao growers and artisanal chocolatiers in Bucaramanga.
The initiative provided technical tools to improve cacao bean processing, while also fostering confidence, inspiration, and a sense of belonging among participants. These projects showcase the fundamental role of women in the sector, driving leadership that goes beyond productivity to strengthen more equitable and resilient communities.
As a result, a group of empowered women emerged, capable of producing value-added products and opening new markets based on quality, innovation, and the cultural significance of cacao.
Guild meetings and community strengthening
The spirit of cohesion is also reflected in spaces such as the first municipal Cacao Shelling Contest in Santana, Boyacá, where local farmers demonstrated their skills and reaffirmed the importance of agricultural diversification.
In Santander, municipal cacao committees held meetings to consolidate joint agendas and strengthen ties between producers, community leaders, and the Federation. These spaces for participation, training, and friendly competition are essential for creating identity, recognizing traditional crafts, and ensuring the intergenerational transmission of knowledge.
International projection of colombian cacao
The publication also highlights Fedecacao’s participation in high-level international scenarios, such as the event organized by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies.
In this forum, Fedecacao’s Technical Manager, Luis Eduardo López, presented a lecture on the current state of cacao production in Colombia, emphasizing that in the last 15 years, national production has doubled. This achievement has been possible thanks to the joint effort of producers, guilds, associations, and government entities, allowing Colombia to move from being a net importer to becoming an exporter with a positive trade balance.
Guild leader Mabel Sánchez also represented Colombian cacao in this encounter, sharing experiences with leaders from Guatemala, Mexico, and Bulgaria. Female leadership and the international recognition of Colombian cacao were highlighted as key elements in positioning the country as a benchmark for quality, sustainability, and innovation.
Today, Colombia not only exports dry beans but also transformed and semi-processed products, reflecting significant progress in the value chain and in the sector’s innovation capacity.
Balance and achievements of the sector in 2025
The 84th edition of Colombia Cacaotera underscores that 2025 marks a year of great progress for the national cocoa sector. Among the main achievements are:
Doubling of national production in 15 years.
Consolidation of exports with a positive trade balance.
Expansion of processed cacao products into international markets.
Strengthening of guild participation, with democratic processes such as cacao growers’ elections.
Promotion of female and community innovation, through regional training programs.
Advances in sustainability and climate resilience, supported by technology transfer and agroecological practices.
A medium for the cacao growers’ voice
Colombia Cacaotera is not just an informative publication. It is, above all, a space of identity and expression for cacao growers across Colombia.
By presenting life stories, regional projects, technological advances, and international achievements, the newspaper reflects the cultural and productive richness of Colombian cacao. Moreover, as an institutional medium of Fedecacao and the National Cocoa Fund, the magazine serves as a guarantor of transparent, reliable, and useful information for all sector stakeholders.
