The two major conferences will combine to make an impressive Amsterdam Cocoa Week that will also include other cocoa and chocolate-related initiatives.
Organisers Equipoise said Chocoa will feature all of the well-known elements of previous events such as the Trade Fair, European Markets Academy, Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference, Chocolate Makers’ Forum, Grand Diner du Chocolat and the Chocolate Consumer Festival.
Amsterdam is not only the largest cocoa port in the world, an important hub for storage, trade and processing of cocoa, but also the place to be for innovative thinking on the sustainability of the cocoa value chains.
Ahead of the conference Equipoise are running several online events with a focus on EU legislation including:
European Market Academy (EMA)
In a statement Equipoise said: “We are preparing for Chocoa in 2024. However, in Europe many important policy developments are happening in 2023 and the impact on cocoa and chocolate exporters from outside of the EU will be significant. This is why the team behind Chocoa has decided to offer online sessions of the EMA, to help cocoa and chocolate exporters prepare for the new legislation and facilitate their access to European Markets. Two sessions will be offered online, on 7 September and on 5 October 2023, both 15.00-17.30 (CEST). EU market regulations, sustainability and food safety rules will be discussed, followed by the developments on logistics and marketing. Registration and full programme will be announced soon, stay updated here.
Chocolate Makers Forum (CMF)
To update on EU requirements for chocolate businesses, Equipoise will also offer two online sessions of the Chocolate Makers Forum. “We will focus on the impact of the upcoming European policy developments on your sourcing policies and on your business. The implications, country and trader experiences, challenges and solutions will be discussed, for chocolate makers to be prepared for the big changes ahead. The two online CMF sessions are planned on 15 June and on 11 October 2023, both 14.30-16.30 (CEST). Registration and programme will be announced soon, stay updated here.”
Women in Cocoa & Chocolate (WINCC)
Another important online event will be advising on the link to developments in the EU regarding legislation for women in cocoa. “There is certainly a gender perspective that is worth the discussion. Not only are women’s rights human rights, but also because women play a key role in protecting forests. So, following each of the CMF sessions there will be an online WINCC session on 15 June and on 11 October, both 16.30-18.00 (CEST). Registration will be announced soon, stay updated here.”
