At Colombia's 7th International Seminar on More Competitive Cacao, over 900 attendees gathered for an insightful and inspiring panel, "El Secreto de mi Éxito", moderated by Nubia Martinez Guerrero, cacao researcher and member of the Cacao of Excellence Technical Committee.
The seminar, held on September 3-4, 2024 in Medellín, was an initiative led by USDA’s Cacao for Development (C4D) project and Colombia’s Fedecacao. The event served as a key lead-up to the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) Colombia, set to take place in Cali next month. COP16 is an international conference drawing attention on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including advancing financial mechanisms to support biodiversity goals, finalising multilateral mechanisms for equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and reviewing national biodiversity strategies.
Global Impact of Cacao of Excellence
Nubia Martinez Guerrero was invited as a keynote speaker for the panel event. A researcher, visiting professor, and doctoral student in the Food Science department at the National Agrarian University of La Molina in Lima, Peru, she specialises in cacao genetic improvement, sensory analysis, and quality evaluation. Since joining the Cacao of Excellence Technical Committee in 2019, her expertise in cacao quality and flavour has made her an integral part of the expert Committee, where she plays a crucial role in evaluating cacao bean samples for each edition of the Cacao of Excellence Awards.
Nubia kicked off the panel session by introducing the Cacao of Excellence programme, its ambitions, and the global reach of Cacao of Excellence, featuring a selection of past winners across regions, hailing from India, Nigeria, Martinique, and the Philippines. These stories highlighted the programme's recognition of the immense diversity and quality of cacao, available across origins, and empowerment of producers who cultivate these exceptional beans.
Spotlight on Cacao of Excellence Award Winners
The panel featured four of Colombia's Cacao of Excellence Award winners. Their success stories offered insights into how winning this recognition has transformed their lives, their farming practices, and their communities. Panelists and producers of excellence Luis Uribe (Tame, Arauca, CoEx 2010), Edith Moreno (Fedecacao, CoEx 2019), Alex Ayala (Valencia, Córdoba, CoEx 2021, Bronze) and Leonel Murillo (Workakao, Guamal, Meta, CoEx 2023, Gold) described how their Award win became a catalyst for positive change — boosting their visibility, improving their cacao quality, and opening up new opportunities in the market.
Key insights from the panel
The Award winners highlighted several crucial factors that contributed to their success and that continue to drive progress in their communities:
Post-harvest care: Focusing on the critical steps after harvesting cacao, including fermentation and drying, to ensure the highest quality.
Product differentiation: Maintaining a distinct identity through unique genetics and flavours, which allowed them to stand out in competitive markets.
Strict quality protocols: Discipline in following rigorous standards and practices was key to consistently producing superior quality cacao.
The Road Ahead: Strengthening Market Connections
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the need for stronger market connections. While the Cacao of Excellence Award has been a tremendous boost for these producers, they emphasised that establishing greater direct links with international markets would enable them to make the most of their achievements and continue to thrive in the market for superior quality cacao.
Cacao of Excellence is working with its partners to create more impactful market opportunities for future winners. By fostering deeper connections, the programme aims to amplify the reach and benefits of the award, ensuring that these exceptional producers can fully leverage their success.
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Cacao for Development Project (C4D)
C4D is an initiative coordinating efforts and investments along the cacao value chain to promote sustainable agricultural systems that generate a living income for cacao producers in Colombia. Through research, education, and collaboration with key stakeholders, C4D promotes innovative practices in cacao cultivation, genetic improvement, and quality enhancement. By focusing on empowering producers and fostering environmental sustainability, C4D ensures the long-term viability of cacao farming. The programme is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and brings together government, NGOs and private sector allies to improve cocoa and complementary supply chains in Colombia.
Federación Nacional de Cacaoteros de Colombia
Fedecacao, the National Federation of Cacao Growers of Colombia, is a leading organisation committed to promoting the sustainable growth and development of Colombia's cacao sector. Since its establishment, Fedecacao has been dedicated to supporting cacao producers through technical assistance, research, and training, with a focus on improving productivity, quality, and environmental practices. The federation advocates for the recognition of Colombian cacao on the global stage, highlighting its exceptional quality and rich diversity. Fedecacao works closely with goverment entities, international organisaions and local communities to advance Colombia’s position as a top producer of fine-flavour cacao.
COP16 (2024 UN Biodiversity Conference)
COP16, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), will be held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. This landmark event will bring together representatives from over 190 countries to discuss and advance global efforts to protect biodiversity. COP16 builds on the commitments made under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a focus on implementing actionable strategies to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Key priorities include securing financial resources for biodiversity conservation, integrating biodiversity into various sectors, and empowering indigenous and local communities.
