CHOCOA sustainability conference returns to Amsterdam with new partners and a fresh agenda

First up is the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting at the historic Beurs van Berlage (old stock exchange) from 6 to 7 February. ConfectioneryNews is the official media partner for this event​, and more on this can be found here​.

From February 8 to 9 the venue will be handed over to the CHOCOA sustainability conference, established in 2012 in the Dutch capital, it has since grown to be an internationally recognised event.

Jack Steijn, co-founder of Equipoise, CHOCOA’S organizer, said his event differs in many ways from the WCF Partnership Meeting, but the two naturally complement each other. “World Cocoa Foundation’s Partnership Meeting is all about sharing the efforts and results of sustainable cocoa policies, and CHOCOA is about selling cocoa and chocolate as well as sharing new ideas and developments in sustainability​,” he said in a blogpost on the WCF website.

“At CHOCOA, we want good cocoa to be sold. There are a lot of cocoa producers and traders that have stands and propose their products to the audience. We have created the Chocolate Makers’ Forum and the Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference to attract potential buyers, but the emphasis is on the trade fairs.

"Of course, chocolate makers are also interested in selling their products which is why we include a chocolate festival on Saturday and Sunday. Markets must always include a buyer and a seller, and so we include both. This is why we have the trade fair at the beginning of Chocoa for the cocoa producers and traders, and then we have the chocolate festival over the weekend. The festival is also a platform to inform the public on sustainability efforts related to chocolate.”

Amsterdam and cocoa

He explained that Amsterdam’s association with cocoa started in the 17th and 18th centuries with trading and then processing. And still remains the largest cocoa port in the world for transport and storage and a cocoa for terminal markets and for the industry,

“In the last decade, we have had a lot of cocoa sustainability activities as well. All types of sustainability companies and consultants are present in Amsterdam and in the surrounding cities, and Amsterdam Cocoa Week will allow all these actors to showcase, meet up, and network. It will give stimulus to global action.”

Another of the unique highlights at CHOCOA is the Chocolate Makers Forum. Expert panellists will share valuable insights on what is needed to take craft chocolate to the next level of sustainability, innovation and consumer engagement.

The Forum will also be shedding light on the impact of EU Legislation and discover firsthand how this influences cocoa and chocolate-related businesses in the EU market.