Amsterdam, [February 7, 2025] – Today, during the 2025 Chocoa Trade Fair, a transformative new event in the cacao and chocolate industry will be announced: The Seguine Cacao Auction – Excellence in Cacao, set to debut at the next 2026 Chocoa Trade Fair. Powered by The Company Behind Chocoa, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT’s Cacao of Excellence programme, and Daarnhouwer & Co., The Seguine Cacao Auction will provide an exclusive platform for premium cacao buyers to access cacao lots from some of the world’s best producers. Named in honour of the late cacao visionary, Edward Seguine, the auction recognises and rewards cacao producers for their dedication to quality, while celebrating Seguine’s legacy of raising cacao standards and championing producers worldwide.
The inaugural 2026 Auction will feature special lots from a growing list of 2023 Cacao of Excellence Gold-winning producers. These currently include: Thailand’s Beantobar Chocolate Chanthaburi Co., Costa Rica’s Chocolatera del Volcán, Peru’s Juan Laura - The Chocolate Farmer, and Ecuador’s Hacienda San José. Their carefully selected lots will be processed and evaluated by Cacao of Excellence and offered exclusively at the first auction in 2026 along with detailed information, data and sensory profile. Future auctions will feature lots from new Cacao of Excellence winners, ensuring a fresh selection each year.
Held at the historic Beurs van Berlage, the former Amsterdam commodity exchange, the auction will bring together award-winning cacao producers and premium cacao buyers from around the world. The event will celebrate the extraordinary expertise of cacao producers and highlight the growing importance of quality cacao in the global market. With Daarnhouwer & Co. overseeing the logistics and storage of the lots, the auction will take place annually during the Chocoa Trade Fair, offering a unique and dynamic platform for the cacao and chocolate industry.
The Seguine Cacao Auction is set to become a key event in the cacao calendar, creating opportunities for producers to be recognised for their expertise in cultivating flavourful, aromatic cacao.
About The Company Behind Chocoa, Cacao of Excellence, and Daarnhouwer & Co.
The Company Behind Chocoa, Cacao of Excellence, and Daarnhouwer & Co. are dedicated to supporting cacao producers and promoting exceptional cacao through strategic partnerships and global initiatives.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Nadia Villaseñor at cacaoofexcellence@cgiar.org
