The Chokao 2025 Fair was inaugurated with great enthusiasm in Samborondón, Ecuador, an emblematic event that brought together producers, entrepreneurs, and academics from the Ecuadorian and Latin American cocoa sector. Organized by the National Association of Cocoa Exporters – Ecuador, this fair positioned itself as a key platform for knowledge exchange, innovation promotion, and network strengthening in the cocoa production chain.
During the opening ceremony, the importance of multi-sector collaboration to address the sector’s current challenges was highlighted, with particular emphasis on sustainability, product quality, and adaptation to climate change. The fair not only served as a space for trade exhibitions but also as a strategic venue for presenting scientific and technological advances aimed at improving the competitiveness of Latin American cocoa in the global market.
The Clima-LoCa project team actively participated in this important event, contributing high-impact scientific presentations during the 2025 Seminar, held the day after the inauguration, on August 27. Noteworthy were the presentations by renowned experts in the field, who shared recent research findings and perspectives for the future of cocoa cultivation.
Mirjam Pulleman, from CIAT, presented the results of research on heavy metals in cocoa, a crucial issue for ensuring product safety and quality. For his part, Eduardo Chávez, from the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), together with Manuel Carrillo from the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, presented scientific advances focused on contaminants that affect cocoa, addressing innovative solutions to mitigate these risks.
The integration of climate projection data into farm planning was another central topic, presented by Paul Schmidt of CIAT, who emphasized the importance of adapting agricultural practices to address climate variability and ensure sustainable productivity. Finally, Evert Thomas, also from CIAT, addressed cocoa genetics, a fundamental pillar for improving the resilience and quality of plantations.
This edition of the Chokao Fair not only strengthened the exchange of experiences and knowledge among different actors in the sector but also reaffirmed the commitment to continue promoting applied research to solve complex challenges facing cocoa in Ecuador and the region.
The Clima-LoCa activities during the fair reflected the project’s comprehensive approach, which combines environmental, socioeconomic, and productive aspects to add value to the cocoa chain and promote sustainable development. Cooperation between international, academic, and producer institutions was evident as a key factor in the success of these initiatives.
In summary, the Chokao 2025 Fair was a key venue for consolidating strategic alliances, visualizing future trends in the sector, and promoting technological and scientific innovation. This event once again demonstrated the importance of working together to strengthen Latin American cocoa, an emblematic product that represents an economic and social engine for thousands of families and communities.
Clima-LoCa will continue to participate in this type of event, contributing research and solutions so that Latin American cocoa can maintain its leading position and respond efficiently to the challenges of the present and the future. The latest news and developments from this fair could be followed through the official platform, which provided a dynamic space for the dissemination and constant updating of information on this important productive sector.