Colombia and Cacao
The secrets of Colombian chocolates
Chocolate consumption has increased around the world. The consumption keeps growing and is projected to continue to grow. The global cocoa and chocolate market is projected to grow from $48.29 billion in 2022 to $67.88 billion by 2029. There are different reasons for that; new consumers like some Asian countries, changes in conceptions trends after COV-19, people's food consumption awareness, and their rejection of highly processed and very sugary products.
Colombia consumption and production have also changed, In 2007 the country exported 1,884 tons of cocoa. In 2017, 11,688 tons of cocoa were exported, which means that in ten years the increase in international sales was 520%. The country is building up an international reputation by participating in chocolate fairs and contests, many of which have stood out for the quality of the chocolate.
Cacao Production
Colombia has produced chocolate for decades, however, it has had little international participation because the technology used does not allow it to satisfy more than local demand. However, little by little new technologies are being implemented, generating new and improved production and distribution practices. In addition to this, Colombia has been a country that has had armed conflicts, which has delayed its international participation a bit, however, thanks to the new peace treaties Colombians have managed to recover and allocate more land to plant cocoa where there was none before. We proudly state that Colombia produces 66 thousand tons of chocolate and 9 thousand are exported.
Colombia's Fame
Colombia has received several chocolate awards, which creates international recognition and selling opportunities. Colombia has won the International Cocoa Award four times at the Salon de chocolat in Paris and, it has obtained recognition in Belgium and the United States, among other countries during smaller events. . (Bancolombia, 2020).
Colombia currently holds several chocolate fairs such as the Chocoshow, where more than 14,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors have participated in 2021 (Fedecaca, 2021). It also has the Cocoa Federation that watches over the interests of cocoa producers. Colombia is demonstrating having the capacity for international participation.
By the end of 2021, Colombia managed to enter the International Cocoa Organization -ICCO-. The countries that are members of this organization represent 96% of cocoa production in the world, of which 23 are exporters and 29 importers. Being part of this organization represents great opportunities for Colombian cocoa growers and for the world. The director of ICCO Mr. Michel Arrion expressed his gratitude for including Colombia within the organization by mentioned:
Did you know?
Colombia enters as one of the 10 most important cocoa producers in the world. But not everything is a matter of volumes, of quantities, it is also a matter of quality, because Colombia is producing one of the best cocoas in the world, and mainly the vast majority of the country's production is fine in flavor and aroma" (Fedecacao, Dec 2021).