The Cacao and Chocolate Summit is founded by CONEXIÓN CHOCOLATE, and organized in partnership with Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate and the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA). With the support of MOCCA.

Day 1: Wednesday May 26, 2021

10:30 to 10:45 – Live Traditional Music with Mana Maymanda
10:45 to 11:00 – Welcome, Introduction

11:00 to 12:15 – The State of the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Market 

In our kick-off panel on May 26, some questions we will discuss:

1. How are growth in various markets – B2B, B2C and ecommerce – affecting the consumption of fine cocoa? 
2. How will the creation of new markets affect the social and economic development of those involved in the value chain of fine cacao? 
3. What are the most exciting new market opportunities for fine cacao and chocolate?

12:20 to 1:35 – Trends in Fine Chocolate Demand

In our second panel, we will deep dive into trends from the demand end of the value chain exploring: 

1. What are consumers seeking when purchasing fine chocolate? 
2. How has fine chocolate consumption changed in recent years? 
3. What are some of the most important trends to follow on a regional and international level?

1:40 to 2:55 – Trends in Fine Cacao from the Producers

In our third panel, Trends in Fine Cacao from the Producers Perspective, we’ll address some of the following questions: 

1. What are the most effective forms of marketing/outreach for reaching news buyers? 
2. Do premiums and additional commercialization expenses necessary to sell to fine cocoa buyers truly cover the costs of production? 
3. Which countries lead the supply of fine cocoa, and which excel at marking their fine cocoa industries?

Day 2: Thursday May 27, 2021

10:30 to 10:45 – Live Traditional Music with Mana Maymanda
10:45 to 11:00 – Welcome, Introduction

11:00 to 12:15 – The realities of entering into the US fine chocolate marketplace

On day 2, our first panel will discuss the realities of entering into the US marketplace. Our panelists will address some of the following questions: 

1. Has the fine chocolate reached a level of saturation? 
2. Is supply outpacing demand and, if so, what can we do as an industry to remedy this? 
3. What must a new chocolate maker/brand know about selling into the US market?

12:20 to 1:35 – Accessing capital

One of the biggest challenges for small businesses in accessing affordable capital. Our ‘Accessing Capital’ will address the following questions around capital.

1. What can small cocoa producer organizations do to attract like-minded lenders?
2. How can access to affordable capital catalyze the growth of a business or farmer association?
3. What other social and environmental benefits are obtained by the availability of affordable capital?

1:40 to 2:55 – Innovation in Fine Cocoa

To wrap-up the summit, we’ll look at innovation in the fine cacao and chocolate space:

1. How is demand shifting and what are some strategies for the development of new value added cocoa-based products?
2. How are companies innovating their products and systems to create and satisfy demand for these new products?

Time Zone: Eastern Time (EST)

English & Spanish

Day 2

May 27th