en.Wedoany.com Reported - Canada will invest 15 million Canadian dollars to support over 6,000 small cocoa farmers in Peru in enhancing climate resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness. This announcement was made by the Canadian Embassy in Peru on the eve of the 17th International Cocoa and Chocolate Salon, confirming the international recognition received by Peruvian cocoa.

Canada is the guest country of honor at this year's salon. Canada will invest 15 million Canadian dollars between 2025 and 2031 to strengthen the climate resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness of small Peruvian cocoa farmers. This funding will be supplemented by an additional 5 million Canadian dollars mobilized through collaboration with the public and private sectors. The investment is part of the CACAO+ project implemented by the Canadian cooperation organization Socodevi, and will benefit growers in Amazonas, Cajamarca, and San Martín, with 70% of participants expected to be women. The project will promote the implementation of agroforestry systems, climate change adaptation, deforestation reduction, cooperative strengthening, and access to specialized markets, helping to boost the competitiveness of Peru's fine aromatic cocoa.

The 17th International Cocoa and Chocolate Salon will be held from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19 at the San Borja Convention Center in Lima. Over 200 brands from Peru's main cocoa-producing regions will participate, with more than 35,000 visitors expected. The event will also feature business meetings, professional conferences, competitions, culinary demonstrations, and activities to strengthen the cocoa value chain.

As the guest country of honor, Canada will showcase its experience in the craft chocolate industry over the four-day salon, an industry renowned for its bean-to-bar model and direct collaboration with high-quality Peruvian cocoa. Participating companies include Qantu from Montreal (which produces award-winning chocolates using native Peruvian cocoa) and Hummingbird Chocolate from Ontario. Trade relations between Peru and Canada are also strengthening, with Peruvian exports of cocoa and its derivatives to Canada reaching 43.6 million US dollars in 2025, solidifying Canada's position as a primary destination for Peruvian chocolate and high-value-added products.