Mars, Mondelez and Callebaut gear up for World Cocoa Conference

The event, hosted by the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), runs from today until Friday at the Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the principal cocoa producing nation worldwide.

The event takes place as the industry fast approaches a “critical junction”​ amid fears of a global cocoa supply crisis, according to the ICCO.

The industry is meeting to work towards sustainable growth across the supply chain.

Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara is due to give a keynote address, while representatives from the largest global chocolate firms are also set to take the stage.

Speakers include Mars’ sustainability head Barry Parkin, president of Mondelez Europe Tim Cofer and Barry Callebaut’s head of global sourcing Steven Retzlaff.

Cargill’s recently appointed managing director for Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate Jos De Loor​ is also in attendance with other cocoa suppliers such as Olam and ADM.

See the full program HERE.