- July 22, 2022
- Posted by: medium
- Category: National
The event, which will last until Thursday, June 14, opened its doors on the morning of Tuesday the 12th, with 60 commercial stands, forums and business conferences.
Exceeding the expectations of the influx of visitors, the Chokao Cocoa and Chocolate Fair started this Tuesday, at the Hilton Colón hotel in Guayaquil, organized by the National Association of Cocoa Exporters and Industrialists of Ecuador (Anecacao).
Merlyn Casanova, Executive Director of Anecacao, highlighted this Tuesday morning the interest of visitors in the trade fair, which has 60 stands, and the seminars, with the participation of 31 international speakers (from Europe, the United States, Colombia, Peru) and national speakers (experts in genetic issues, current market situation, prices).
“Until noon we have had a large influx of people; They are very interested in the products that the different stands have. Regarding the seminars, we have exceeded the capacity we thought we would have; "Many more people have signed up today than those who had already booked," said the executive, who highlighted other topics that interest those attending these forums, such as the market and the latest chocolate trends worldwide.
According to Anecacao figures, in 2021, with an FOB value of $100 million, exports of semi-processed cocoa represented 9.35% of the sector's total (90.65% was represented by cocoa beans). Shipments from this subsector were divided into liquor or paste (68.80%), butter (13.96%), powder (12.42%), cake (2.44%), NIBS (1.82%), and Finally, chocolates or similar (0.56%).
For Leila Carvajal, de Chocolatier, a company that specializes in the production of cocoa, but they are also part of the Cocoa Supply group, which is responsible for the marketing of cocoa products in international markets. Currently, the chocolate market has a lot of pressure due to international inflation, especially all in the United States and Europe, which worries small chocolate makers in those countries who see a recession approaching.
“They are thinking about how to lower costs. Sales themselves have gone down for handmade chocolates,” warned Carvajal, who in the case of Ecuador, despite also having inflation, believes it is an opportunity.
He assured that Ecuadorian chocolate makers can take advantage of these market niches. "We, by having the cocoa here, by having the inputs here, if we manage to make logistics and distribution more direct, we could enter and cover those niches that are being abandoned by certain chocolate makers because the cost, both of labor and inputs and everything else, it is more expensive," said the expert, who indicated that Ecuador should take advantage of the excellent reputation of its chocolate, which is traditionally made with fine aroma cocoa, of which Ecuador is the largest exporter in the world, with 63 % of world production.
Another of the participating brands is Nestlé, which at its stand highlighted the results of the Cocoa Plan, with which they promote the reactivation of Ecuador's cocoa sector and increase productivity per hectare and improve the living conditions of producers.
“Nestlé has left a significant mark in the production of chocolates and cocoa in the national market. We reinforce our commitment to the countryside and sustainability to deliver quality chocolates,” he said. Manuel Gutiérrez, director of Cocoa Business at Nestlé Ecuador.
Casanova highlighted other attractions of the fair, such as the Cacao of Excellence Contest (qualifier for the international Cacao Awards) and the business roundtables Aromas del Ecuador (for international buyers and exporters, with 113 confirmed appointments) and Aromas del Campo (for producers and exporters B2B, with 34 confirmed appointments), in addition to the show of chocolate called Chocofest, which will show gastronomy with cocoa as an ingredient.
Meanwhile, until Thursday, the executive director of Anecacao estimates the visit of a thousand people to the fair and an expectation of generating $2.5 million in business.