en.Wedoany.com Reported - Canada is investing 15 million Canadian dollars to enhance the climate resilience and competitiveness of small-scale cocoa producers in Peru, a announcement made ahead of the opening of the 17th International Cocoa and Chocolate Salon. The funding will benefit over 6,000 small producers in the Amazon, Cajamarca, and San Martín regions, with 70% of participants being women. The investment will be used to implement agroforestry systems, adapt to climate change, reduce deforestation, strengthen cooperatives, and access specialized markets, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of Peru's fine cocoa.
The project is implemented by the Canadian cooperation organization Socodevi as part of the CACAO+ initiative. The Canadian Embassy in Peru announced that, in addition to the 15 million Canadian dollar investment, an additional 5 million Canadian dollars will be contributed through a coalition of public and private sector actors to expand the project's impact. This investment plan covers the period from 2025 to 2031 and aims to enhance the climate resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness of Peru's cocoa industry.
Canada, as the invited country for this edition of the salon, will share its experience in the artisanal chocolate industry. The country's artisanal chocolate sector is renowned for its "bean-to-bar" model and works directly with high-quality Peruvian cocoa. Among the participating companies, Montreal-based Qantu has gained international recognition for producing award-winning chocolates using native Peruvian cocoa, while Ontario's Hummingbird Chocolate is also a benchmark brand in Canadian artisanal chocolate. In 2025, Peru's exports of cocoa and derived products to Canada reached 43.6 million US dollars, making Canada the main export destination for Peruvian chocolate and high-value-added products.
The 17th International Cocoa and Chocolate Salon will be held from July 16 to 19 at the Lima San Borja Convention Center. Over 200 brands from the country's main cocoa-producing regions will showcase chocolates, derived products, and technological innovations. The event will also feature business meetings, professional conferences, competitions, and culinary demonstrations. With an expected attendance of over 35,000 visitors, this edition is poised to be the most successful in the salon's 17-year history.
