Chocoa Conference

Thursday 25 February

Chocoa Conference: Financing the Future of Cocoa  

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The Chocoa Conference 2027 at Chocoa brings together global leaders of the cocoa and chocolate industry, authorities of main cocoa producing and chocolate consuming countries, representatives of cocoa farmers, NGOs, innovative service providers, financial institutions and the research community. As an independent platform we aim to bring latest evidence, nuance and inspiration to our professional audience, contributing to a resilient cocoa value chain.  

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The Conference will include several interactive panel discussions and break-out sessions, featuring expert speakers from different countries of origin, representing different stakeholders and bringing in fresh perspectives. The programme promises two full days with provocative discussions, innovations and a strong farmer voice. Visitors of the Conference have access to all public events taking place throughout the Amsterdam Cocoa Week, including the Trade Fair on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.   

Dates: February 25-26, 2027   

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Chocoa Conference 2027: Financing the Future of Cocoa  

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The cocoa sector faces a changing market environment, with concerns about industrial demand, changes in cocoa supply, price differentiation, production and climate risks, and the financial pressures facing farmers and businesses in producing countries. At the same time, investment is needed to strengthen farmer livelihoods, improve climate resilience, finance and scale essential services, and build viable local processing industries that add value locally.  

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The 2-day Chocoa Conference will dive deeper into this, bringing the latest insights, evidence and inspiration from different stakeholders and countries of origin. On the first day we host three plenary panel discussions: 

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Panel 1 - How are changing demand, cocoa prices, production uncertainty and industry responses reshaping the economics of cocoa? During the first panel we will take stock and present the latest trends, regarding demand and supply for cocoa, the effects of el Niño, and relevant financial developments. 

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Panel 2 –What are critical finance gaps for farmers, their organizations and local entrepreneurs, and how can these be addressed?  In this panel we will highlight local perspectives and ways to reduce financial pressures on farmers and (local) businesses and share risks and value more equally across the value chain. 

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Panel 3 – How does blended finance deliver benefits for producing countries, local entrepreneurship and cocoa-growing households? In the third panel, the focus is on effective combinations of public and private investments, opportunities and bottlenecks.  

The second day of the Conference will host 6 interactive break-out sessions and a plenary closing panel. These break-out sessions will be moderated by experts, allowing contributors and participants to dive deeper into some of the key challenges and opportunities. The following break-out sessions have been short-listed: 

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1. Changing the rules of the game. What are challenges and implications of (new) legislation coming into force?   

2. What is the potential of AI to address finance gaps and reduce costs in the cocoa value chain? What are data related challenges and what does it take to use data for better decision-making?   

3. An interactive knowledge session on landscape resilience 

4. Financing professional labour & service groups  

5. Financing community investments and the empowerment of women & youth 

6. Investments in local value addition. 

In the closing panel, we will bring together sector leaders and authorities to project the near future of cocoa, and the necessary steps that need to be taken sector wide.