National Organisation Committees

National Organisation Committees (NOCs) coordinate participation in the Cacao of Excellence Awards at the country level.

They bring together key national stakeholders to ensure that each origin’s participation is credible, inclusive, and representative of its cacao diversity.

COMPOSITION

Each NOC includes institutions such as national cacao boards, quality control centres, research organisations, export promotion bodies, and non-governmental organisations. Once roles and responsibilities are agreed, Cacao of Excellence formally confirms the NOC for each origin.

 

ROLE

NOCs oversee the national process for receiving, evaluating, and selecting cacao samples. Working with quality and sensory experts, they identify well-prepared samples that meet Cacao of Excellence standards. They also coordinate documentation and shipment, ensure traceability and sample integrity, and communicate results to producers.

A POINT OF ENTRY FOR THE AWARDS COMPETITION

 

To participate in the Cacao of Excellence Awards, producers and stakeholders must apply through their National Organisation Committee.

Participation is only possible in origins where an NOC has been established for the current Award Edition. The list of participating origins and NOCs may change from one Edition to another.

Before applying, please check whether your origin has a confirmed NOC for the current Edition and contact the relevant NOC representative.

Consult below the list for confirmed National Organisation Committees

If an NOC has not yet been established in your origin, you may contact our Research Specialist, Andrew Meter, to discuss participation options and next steps.

 

In alphabetical order of origin

AUSTRALIA
Massimo Bianco

Horticulturist
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
24 Experimental Station Road, South Johnstone, Queensland 4859
Australia
Tel: +61 499 795 968.
Email: massimo.bianco@daf.qld.gov.au
Website: www.daf.qld.gov.au

BOLIVIA
Carlos Richard Salas Jiménez 
Coordinador Nacional Programa Nacional de Cacao IPD-SA / MDRyT 
Institución Pública Desconcentrada-Soberanía Alimentaria (IPD-SA)  
Calle Almirante Grau Nº 541 entre Zoilo Flores y Boquerón Zona San Pedro 
Bolivia 
Tel: +591 70272735 / +591 71149096 
Email: richardsalasj@gmail.com 
Website: www.soberaniaalimentaria.gob.bo  

Ana Melisa Laruta Álvarez 
Institución Pública Desconcentrada Soberanía Alimentaria IPD-SA 
Calle Almirante Grau Nº 541 entre Zoilo Flores y Boquerón Zona San Pedro 
Bolivia 
Tel: +591 77764744 
Email: melisa.laruta20@gmail.com  
Website: www.soberaniaalimentaria.gob.bo 

BRAZIL
Neyde Alice Bello Marques Pereira

Researcher in Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Vice President of the National Special Cocoa Committee
Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA)
Comissão Executiva do Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira (CEPLAC)
Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau (CEPEC )
Rodovia Jorge Amado, s/n - Km 22 - Bairro/Distrito: Salobrinho, Ilhéus – Bahia
CEP 45600-970
Brazil
Tel: +55 (73) 99132-7174
Email: neyde.pereira@agro.gov.br; nalice.bello@gmail.com  
Website: www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br

Cristiano Villela Dias
CEO of APCTSUL and CIC
Cocoa Innovation Center (CIC)
Scientific and Technological Park of Southern Bahia (PCTSB)
Rodovia Jorge Amado, s/n - Km 16 UESC - Bairro/Distrito: Salobrinho, Ilhéus – Bahia
CEP 45662-900
Brazil
Tel: +55 73 99196-6657
Email: cristiano_villela@pctsb.org; cic.pctsul.org
Website: www.pctsb.org/cic

Adriana Cristina Reis
Quality Manager
Cocoa Innovation Center (CIC)
Rodovia Jorge Amado, s/n - Km 22 - Bairro/Distrito: Salobrinho, Ilhéus – Bahia
CEP 45600-970
Brazil
Tel: +55 73998449080
e-mail: adriana_reis@pctsb.org
Website: https://cic.pctsul.org

COLOMBIA
Carlos Alberto Muñoz Vanegas 
Dirección de Cadenas Agrícolas y Forestales 
Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural 
Avenida Jiménez NC-7A – Bogotá, D.C. 
Tel : +57 313 4093684 
Email: carlosa.munoz@minagricultura.gov.co 
Website: www.minagricultura.gov.co 

Eduard Baquero López 
Presidente Ejecutivo 
Federación Nacional de Cacaoteros - FEDECACAO 
Calle 31 No. 17-27 6 Teusaquillo 
Colombia 
Tel : +57 313 2265911 
Email: presidencia@fedecacao.com.co 
Website : wwwfedecacao.com.co

COSTA RICA
Rocío del Carmen Fallas Salas

Extensionista agropecuaria/Coordinadora de Cacao
Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería
Regional Central Sur, Frente al CAIS de Puriscal, San Jose
Costa Rica
Tel: +506 2105 6100 ext. 2113 / 2105-6200
Email: rfallas@mag.go.cr
Website: www.mag.go.cr

Jason Fonseca Chavarría
Jefe de Región Huetar Caribe
Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER)
Oficinas Centrales Plaza Tempo Escazú, San Jose
Costa Rica
Tel: +506 2505 4935
Email: jfonseca@procomer.com
Website: www.procomer.com

COTE D'IVOIRE
Me Kouakou

Coordonnateur des OPA
Le Conseil du Café Cacao
17 BP 797 Abidjan
Côte d’Ivoire
Tel: +225 2720202787 / +225 0102566580
Email: mkouakou@conseilcafecacao.ci

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
Monga Numbi Mimy 
Directrice Nationale 
Office National des Produits Agricoles du Congo (ONAPAC) 
Ministère National de l’Agriculture 
Concession ONAPAC sise N°1082, 14ème Rue, Commune de Limité-Kinshasa,  
Bâtiment DRH, local N°3 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Tel : +243991000972 
Email: miraesa67@yahoo.fr; onapacdgkin18@gmail.com  

Tony Saiba 
Chargé de viabilité des producteurs et Coopératives agricoles  
Agribusiness Congo Consulting (ABCC) 
Concession ONAPAC sise N°1082, 14ème Rue, Commune de Limité-Kinshasa, 
Bâtiment DRH, local N°3Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Tel : +243998492348 
Email : saibatonyantoine@gmail.com  

Léopold Mumbere 
Chargé de mise en œuvre et accompagnement logistique 
Goma, -Av Grevelias, Quartier de Volcans, plot 113 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Rikolto 
Tel : +243990956184  
Email : leopold.mumbere@rikolto.org

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Juan Adalberto Hinojosa Gomez

Director del Departamento del Cacao
Ministerio de Agricultura
Autopista Duarte Km. 6 1/2, Los Jardines del Norte, Distrito Nacional
Tel: 809 547 3888 ext. 5012 /  Cel.: 829 521 3015
Email: juan.hinojosa@agricultura.gob.do

ECUADOR
Cristian Alfredo Noboa Iza
Gerente Tecnico
Asociación Nacional de Exportadores de Cacao (ANECACAO)
Km 1.5 vía Samborondón, Edificio de Negocios Xima, piso 3, oficina 303
Samborondón, Ecuador
Tel: 0983353039
Email: gerentetecnico@anecacao.com
Website: https://anecacao.com/

EL SALVADOR
Patricia López de Esquivel

Programa de Agroindustria
Centro Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria y Forestal “Enrique Álvarez Córdova” (CENTA)
Km 33 ½ carretera a Santa Ana,
San Andrés, La Libertad
El Salvador
Tel: +503 2397 2243
Email: direccionejecutiva@centa.gob.sv
Website: www.centa.gob.sv

GUATEMALA
Erick Geovany Ac Tot 
Presidente 
Comisión Nacional de Cacao Guatemala (CONCAGUA) 
7a Avenida 7-24 Zona 11 Cobán,  
Alta Verapaz 
Guatemala 
Tel : +502 30567289 
Email: grupocacao.gt@gmail.com 

Jossue Aguirre 
Coordinador 
Comité de Cacao y Chocolate Diferenciado 
AGEXPORT 
15 Avenida 14-72 Zona 13,  
Guatemala 
Tel : +502 57151648 
Email: jossue.aguirre@agexport.org.gt  

HAITI
Josué Bazile

Coordonnateur
Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières – AVSF
Auberge la Simplicité, Bananier, Camp Perrin
Haiti
Tel : +509 4774 0632
Email: j.bazile@avsf.org
Website: www.avsf.org

Robenson Merisier
Coordonnateur
Ministère de l'Agriculture des Ressources Naturelles et du Développement Rural – MARNDR
Route Nationale #1, Damien
Haiti
Tel : +509 3296 7846
Email: obensonmerisier92@gmail.com

HAWAII
Daniel O'Doherty

Director
Hawaii Cacao Foundation
333 Uluniu St, Suite 203
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
USA
Tel: +1 808 777 0548
Email: dan@cacaoservices.com

HONDURAS
Anibal Ayala Ayala 
Director Ejecutivo 
Federación Nacional de Productores de Cacao de Honduras (FENAPROCACAHO) 
Barrio El Banco, 1ra Calle, 5ta Avenida, 
Choloma, Cortes 
Honduras 
Tel: +504 9991 5643 
Email: cacaohonduras@aprocacaho.com 
Website: https://fenaprocacaho.org/ 

Leslie Jeaneth Salgado Artica 
Secretaria Técnica de la cadena de cacao 
Secretaria de agricultura y ganadería 
Tegucigalpa  
Honduras 
Tel: +504 9970 7187
Email: leslie_salgado11@yahoo.com.mx 

Sindy Anibeth Mejia Andrade 
Responsable asistencia tecnica 
FENAPROCACAHO 
Barrio El Banco, 1ra Calle, 5ta Avenida, 
Choloma, Cortes 
Honduras 
Tel: +504 9441 8600 
Email: sindy.mejia @fenaprocacaho.org
Website: https://fenaprocacaho.org/

Alondra Julieth Sanchez Cardenas 
Responsable comercialización 
APROCACAHO 
Barrio El Banco, 1ra Calle, 5ta Avenida, 
Choloma, Cortes 
Honduras 
Tel: +504 8830 6082 
Email: exportacion@aprocacaho.com

INDONESIA
Noor Ariefandie Febrianto 
Post-harvest Researcher 
Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) 
Jl. PB Sudirman 90 Jember 68118 
Indonesia 
Tel: +62 331 757 130 
Email: noor.ariefandie@gmail.com 
Website: www.iccri.net 

 

JAMAICA
Shanika Newman 
Senior Director Cocoa, Coconut & Spices Division 
Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority 
1 Willie Henry Drive, Kingston 13 
Jamaica W. I. 
Tel: +876 758 1259 / +876 758-3907 / +876 758-1442  
Email: cocoa@jacra.org 
Website: www.jacra.org 

MADAGASCAR
Zandrintsoa, Jean Elysé 
Helvetas 
Ambanja 
Tel: +261 32 03 613 22 
Email: elyse.zandrintsoa@helvetas.org; elyse81@gmail.com   

Disy Zara, Elina 
FOFIFA 
Ambanja-Téléphone: +261 32 40 949 20
E-mail: elinadisy@gmail.com 

Desana, Kenny Fardou 
Secrétaire Exécutif Adjoint 
Conseil National du Cacao 
Enceinte CirAgri, 203, Ambanja 
Madagascar 
Tel: +261 34 32 324 25  
Email: desana.fardou@gmail.com 

MALAYSIA
Dr. Ahmad Kamil bin Hj. Mohd. Jaaffar 
Deputy Director General – Research & Development 
Lembaga Koko Malaysia (Malaysian Cocoa Board) 
Tingkat 5,6 & 7, Wisma SEDCO, Lorong Plaza Wawasan, Off Coastal Highway, Beg Berkunci 211, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 
Malaysia 
Tel: +60 139321306 
E-mail: kamil@koko.gov.my 
Website: www.koko.gov.my  
 
Suzannah Sharif 
Director of Cocoa Downstream Technology Division 
Lembaga Koko Malaysia (Malaysian Cocoa Board) 
Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621, Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan 
Malaysia 
Tel: +60 193355516 
E-mail: suzannah@koko.gov.my 
 
Dr. Badrul Hisyam Zainuddin 
Research Officer 
Lembaga Koko Malaysia (Malaysian Cocoa Board) 
Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621, Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan 
Malaysia 
Tel: +60 166881362 
E-mail: badrul@koko.gov.my 
 
Aizat Japar 
Research Officer 
Lembaga Koko Malaysia (Malaysian Cocoa Board) 
Tingkat 5,6 & 7, Wisma SEDCO, Lorong Plaza Wawasan, Off Coastal Highway, Beg Berkunci 211, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 
Malaysia 
Email: aizat@koko.gov.my

MARTINIQUE
Kora Bernabé 
Présidente 
VALCACO - Association des producteurs de cacao de Martinique 
Chez le PARM, 375 impasse petit morne 
97232 Le Lamentin 
Martinique 
Tel: +596 696 44 26 30 / +596 696 85 30 22  
Email : kora.bernabe@gmail.com 

MEXICO
Dra. Ana Laura Reyes Reyes
National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP)
Campo Experimental Rosario Izapa-INIFAP
Km. 18,  Carretera Tapachula-Cacahoatán
Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas, CP. 30780
Mexico
Tel: +52 9641005780
Email: reyes.ana@inifap.gob.mx

Dr. Pedro García Alamilla
División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco Carretera Villahermosa-Teapa, Km. 25, ranchería la Huasteca, segunda sección
CP. 86290
Mexico
Tel: +52 9932150675
Email: pedro.garciaa@ujat.mx 

NIGERIA
Dr. Festus Olakunle Olasupo

Head, Cocoa Flavor Laboratory
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN)
Km 14, Ibadan - Ijebu ode road, Idi Ayunre
Ibadan
Nigeria
Tel: (+234) 8055275698 / (+234) 8143287703
Email: festusolasupo@gmail.com

Dr. Patrick O. Adebola
Executive Director
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN)
Km 14, Ibadan - Ijebu ode road, Idi Ayunre
Ibadan
Nigeria
Tel: +2348039784154, +2348170510918
Email: adebolapatrick@yahoo.com, directorcrin@yahoo.com

PAPUA NEW GUINEA - AUTONOMOUS REGION OF BOUGAINVILLE (AROB)
James Butubu
 
Chief Compliance officer 
Autonomous Bougainvile Government - Department of Primary Industries (Bougainville Commodities Regulation Authority) 
P.O. Box 322, Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) 
Papua New Guinea 
Tel: +675 72722185 / +675 81801173 
Email: butubu@yahoo.com.au

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Naithel Wartovo

Field services, Export Quality Assurance Manager
Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea
PO Box 532, Kokopo, East New Britain Province
Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 982 9083 / +675 982 8712 (fax)
Email: naithelwartovo20@gmail.com; quality.manager@cocoaboard.org.pg

PERU
Luis Alberto Mendoza Aguilar

Gerente General
Asociación Peruana de Productores de Cacao (APPCACAO)
Jr. Saenz Peña 525 Int 605,
Magdalena del Mar,
Lima
Peru
Tel: +51 01 566 6067
Email: gerencia@appcacao.org
Website: www.appcacao.org

PHILIPPINES
Consul Armi Lopez Garcia 
Chairperson 
Philippines Cacao Industry Council (PCIC) 
President  
Philippine Cacao Industry Association Inc. (PCIA Inc) 
PCIA Office, Armson Complex, P. Remedio, Mandaue City 6014 
Philippines  
Tel: +63 917-322-2764 / +63 920-963-4510  
Email: armilopezgarcia@yahoo.com ; phcacaocouncil@gmail.com 
Website: www.pcia.ph

PUERTO RICO
Viviana Medina 
President 
V.M.R. Consulting LLC 
1 Tierra del Sol, Apt 198,  
Humacao, PR 00791 
Puerto Rico 
Tel: +1 787-431-0100 
Email: vmedinarodriguez49@gmail.com   
 
Eduardo Cortés 
President 
Verde Paraíso/Cortés Hermanos 
Calle Manuel Camuñas,  
San Juan, 00916 
Puerto Rico 
Tel: +1 787-600-2797 
Email: eduardo@verdeparaiso.com 

SIERRA LEONE
Didan Sankoh
 
Director  
Produce Monitoring Board 
DELCO House – 10 Lightfoot Boston Street Freetown 
Sierra Leone 
Tel: +232 78 487790 
Email: didansankoh@gmail.com 

TAIWAN
Tsui-Lan Chang 
Chairman of the Association 
Taiwan Cocoa and Chocolate Industry Association 
No. 11, Fuxing Road, Changzhi Township, Pingtung County, 900 
Taiwan 
Email: ticcacocoa@gmail.com  

Website: www.ticca.org.tw/ 

THAILAND
Bordin Charoenpongchai

Founder and CEO
Thailand Craft Chocolate Festival (TCCF)
657 Pattanakarn 61 Pravet Bangkok 10250
Thailand
Tel: +66 865651005
E-mail: tccfthailand@gmail.com
Website: www.tccfthailand.com

TOGO
Enselme Gouthon

Secrétaire Général
Comité de Coordination pour les Filières Café et Cacao (CCFCC)
Immeuble Direction du Conditionnement des Produits (DCP) - Zone Portuaire
BP: 8582 Lomé
Togo
Tel: +228 22 27 09 45
E-mail: ccfcctogo@gmail.com

Ayi Koffi Adden
Secrétaire Administratif
Comité de Coordination pour les Filières Café et Cacao (CCFCC)
Immeuble Direction du Conditionnement des Produits (DCP) - Zone Portuaire
BP: 8582 Lomé
Togo
Tel: +228 91391005
E-mail: brunoaddenccfcc@gmail.com

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Mala Partap  
Acting Chief Executive Officer  
Cocoa Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (CDCTTL)  
Kumul Highway 0000
Port Vila  
Tel: +678 77 59 664
Email: mala.partap@cdcttl.co.tt

UGANDA
Gordon Katwirenabo 
Quality Assurance and Regulatory Services Manager 
Uganda Coffee Development Authority 
Coffee House, plot 35 Jinja Road 
P.O. Box 7267, Kampala 
Uganda 
Email: gordon.katwirenabo@ugandacoffee.go.ug 
Website: www.ugandacoffee.go.ug 

VANUATU
Olivier Fernandez  
Chairman
Vanuatu Cocoa Industry Association (VCIA)
16 Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas  
Trinidad and Tobago  
Vanuatu
Tel: +1 868 671 1001  
Email: olivier@gastonchocolat.com

Marie Melteras
Vice-Chairlady
Vanuatu Cocoa Industry Association (VCIA)
VARTC Santo 0000
Luganville
Vanuatu
Tel: +678 77 50 154 

 

 

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