Lutheran World Relief, a Corus International organization, was proud to participate in the 2024 Cocoa and Chocolate Salon (Salón del Cacao y Chocolate) in Lima, Peru, to foster collaboration in the cocoa and chocolate industries. Building on our long history of innovation and partnership with farmers, cooperatives, companies, and governments in the cocoa sector, this year's Salon presented an exciting opportunity to showcase our Transforming the VRAEM: The Land of Fine Flavor Cacao project, implemented in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Focused on the Peruvian departments of Cusco, Ayacucho, and Junín, the Transforming the VRAEM program accelerates economic growth in the VRAEM region by enhancing the capacities of farmers to grow, process, and sell high-quality cacao, while elevating the region’s status as a sought-after cacao producer. Notably, the program has established a network of female leaders in the cocoa sector and recently hosted its inaugural women's regional meeting.
At this year’s Salon, Lutheran World Relief's booth not only featured representatives from the VRAEM women's leadership network but also included partners from Qori Warmi, El Quinacho, and Cacao VRAE. Together, we showcased the high-quality cocoa and chocolates that are strengthening the VRAEM's cacao sector, particularly highlighting the Chuncho, Ganzo, and Bellavista cacao varieties.
The event facilitated productive negotiations with various cooperatives, organizations, and companies, leading to significant achievements. Our partner cooperative, El Quinacho, successfully secured a trade deal with the European company Cacao Latitudes, selling 25 metric tons of specialty cacao. Meanwhile, Cacao VRAE entered into a commercial agreement with the Peruvian chocolate company CACAOSUYO to supply two metric tons of Chuncho cacao. Additionally, Qori Warmi established preliminary agreements with IMAC from Italy for the sale of fine-aroma cacao and showcased specialty chocolates at the salon.
During the Salon, the National Meeting of Women Cacao Producers (Encuentro Nacional de Mujeres Cacaoteras) also took place, where eight women cacao leaders from the VRAEM network represented their cooperatives.
Representatives from Lutheran World Relief’s partner organizations hold certificates for awards won at the Peruvian National Chocolate Contest at the 2024 Cocoa and Chocolate Salon.
Lutheran World Relief's partners also participated in the Peruvian National Chocolate Contest, where the VRAEM delegation received notable recognition. Qori Warmi won silver for their 70% dark chocolate with strawberry and dark chocolate with Andean pumpkin seed, while El Quinacho earned bronze for their 70% dark chocolate.
The Cacao and Chocolate Salon in Peru served as an excellent platform for showcasing the quality of cacao and chocolate from the VRAEM, further elevating the national and international profile of these products. With continued efforts, the future for cacao producers looks brighter.