This month, a record number of Pacific businesses travelled to Amsterdam to participate in Chocoa, Europe’s leading marketplace and industry trade fair for high-quality, sustainable cocoa and chocolate. Thanks to sponsorship from the International Trade Centre (ITC), six businesses from the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Samoa, took part in the event to showcase their chocolate products to consumers, buyers and industry professionals from across Europe.
The businesses included, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands, Cathliro, Cacao Fiji, Koko Loa, Pilopaso Farm, and Lukasco.
To support the businesses’ presence at Chocoa, PTI Europe hosted a Pacific Islands Cocoa Information Evening on Wednesday 5 February, bringing together European buyers, industry professionals, and chocolate-making friends of the Pacific for an update on the evolving cocoa landscape in the region.
The event was a huge success, sparking valuable discussions and strengthening engagement between Pacific cocoa exporters and the European market. Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with Pacific chocolate experts, learn about the latest cocoa developments in the Blue Pacific, and explore potential partnerships.
PTI Europe’s Trade Commissioner, Jodie Stewart, said the Pacific representation at this year’s Chocoa was outstanding and provided an unprecedented opportunity to get Pacific speciality cocoa beans in front of buyers.
“This year’s Pacific presence at Chocoa was phenomenal and took us strides closer to building strong relationships with the European market. Our Pacific-centric evening event was a great way to catalyse numerous facilitation processes with potential buyers and retailers.”
Jodie said that growing the Pacific chocolate industry is a strong focus area for PTI Europe, and collaboration is necessary to harness the growing opportunities in the industry.
“European consumers are increasingly choosing boutique and artisanal confectionery, along with other food groups. The opportunity for Pacific cocoa growers, makers and exporters is massive and growing. We are so thankful for collaborators such as ITC who recognise the possibilities and work so generously alongside us to support the Pacific chocolate industry in Europe.”
According to markets insights company, Innova, Europe led in chocolate confectionery cluster sales’ value in 2024, with 37% of European consumers looking to reduce unhealthy ingredients in their chocolate. Further, 1 in 4 consumers in Europe considers sustainability when making food choices, and as such, confectionery trends research shows that companies are increasingly looking to diversify into climate-neutral, green energy and regenerative agriculture practices when selecting their supply chains.
Jodie asserted that for Pacific cocoa-exporting countries, under the right conditions, there is ample opportunity for speciality, eco-friendly and organic beans to thrive in the European market.
“We are working diligently to develop long-term partnerships with buyers here in Europe that can yield sustainable returns for our growers and exporters. If the recent weeks following Chocoa and the show-stopping activities of our Pacific businesses are anything to go by, the future of Pacific chocolate is sweet.”
For more information on Pacific cocoa exports, reach out to the team here.
