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
BRAZIL
Cristiano Villela Dias
Director
Cacao Innovation Center
Rodovia Jorge Amado, km 16 – UESC- IPAF – Instituto de Pesquisa em Análises Físico-Químicas-Salobrinho – Ilhéus – BA
Email: cristianovillela@pctsul.org
Website:https://cic.pctsul.org/contato/
COLOMBIA
Eduard Baquero Lopez
Presidente Ejecutivo Fedecacao
Federación Nacional de Cacaoteros
Cl. 31 #17-27, Teusaquillo, Bogotá
Tel: 3273000
Email: presidencia@fedecacao.com.com
Website: https://www.fedecacao.com.co
Carlos Muñoz
Secretario técnico Cadena Cacao
Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural
Carrera 7 # 32-42 Edificio San Martin piso 8
Tel: 3134093684
Email: carlosa.munoz@minagricultura.gov.co
Website: https://www.fedecacao.com.co
Kateryn Julieth Grimaldos Torres
Directora del programa de apoyo a la comercialización
Federación Nacional de Cacaoteros
Cl. 31 #17-27, Teusaquillo, Bogotá
Tel: 3273000
Email: kateryn.grimaldos@fedecacao.com.co
Website: https://www.fedecacao.com.co
CONGO, RÉP. DU
Mbemba Nassalanadio Patrick Benjamin
société EP2AVPA
117 rue Eugène Kakou bacongo Brazzaville
Tel: 242 05 388 29 10
Email: mbembapatrick73@gmail.com
Website: https://www.ep2avpa.com
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Régina KRA
Coordonnateur Adjoint des OPA
Le Conseil du Café-Cacao
17 BP 797 Abidjan 17
Tel: 27 20 20 29 06 / 27 20 21 83 30
Email: kra.regina@conseilcafecacao.ci
Website: http://www.conseilcafecacao.ci
GUATEMALA
Erick Geovany Ac-Tot
Presidente
Comisión Nacional de Cacao de Guatemala - CONACAGUA
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: +502 3056 7289
Email: grupocacao.gt@gmail.com
Marcelo Darío Godoy Barillas
Gerente de Vinculación
Cacao ConCiencia
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
Tel: +502 5516 5206
Email: moxilcacao@gmail.com
HAWAII
Daniel O'Doherty
President
Cacao Services Inc
626 9th Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816
Tel: +1 808-777-0548
Email: dan@cacaoservices.com
Website: https://cacaoservices.com
INDONESIA
Hendy Firmanto
Post Harvest Researcher
Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI)
Jl. PB Sudirman 90 Jember, East Java 68118
Tel: +62-822-3113-8567
Email: hendy.firmant@gmail.com; iccri@iccri.net
Website: www.iccri.net
PHILIPPINES
Ms. Armi Lopez Garcia
President
Philippine Cacao Industry Association
Armson Complex P. Remedio St. Banilad, Mandaue City
Tel: 09173222764
Email: armilopezgarcia@yahoo.com; phcacaoassociation@gmail.com
Mr. Dante R. Muyco Jr.
Board of Director
Philippine Cacao Industry Association
4th Floor DTI Region XI, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave., Davao City
Tel: 09177000302
Email: drmuyco.csitv@gmail.com
Ms. Joyce Bengo
Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Service (DA-AMAS)
4th Floor DTI Region XI, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave., Davao City
Email: ejimojica82@gmail.com
Ms. Rachel S. Remitio
Assistant Regional Director
Department of Trade and Industry
4th Floor DTI Region XI, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave., Davao City
Tel: (082) 224-0511
Email: RachelRemitio@dti.gov.ph
REPÚBLICA DOMENICANA
Carolin Miguelina Ferrerias Vargas
Encargada de Comercialización
Ministerio de Agricultura
Tel: 829-962-3313
Email: carolinmfv@gmail.com
SIERRA LEONE
Didan Sankoh
Director of Operations
Produce Monitoring Board
10 Lightfoot Boston Street
Tel: +23278487790
Email: didansankoh@gmail.com
TAIWAN
Tsui-Lan Chang
Chairman of the Association (TICCA)
Taiwan Cocoa and Chocolate Industry Association (TICCA)
(zip code: 900) No. 11, Fuxing Road, Changzhi Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan
Tel: +886-985-580-464 FAX：+886-8-7763-900
Email: ticcacocoa@gmail.com
Website: www.ticca.org.tw/ 
THAILAND
Mr.Bordin Charoenpongchai
President
TACCO
655 Pattanakarn Rd, Pravet Bangkok Thailand 10250
Tel: (66)865651005
Email: Thaitacco@gmail.com
Website: www.thaitacco.org
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