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Cumbre Cacao 2025: a strategic vision for the future of cocoa
Cumbre Cacao 2025: Ecuador reaffirms its cocoa leadership with a strategic vision
Guayaquil, August 6–7, 2025 — The Cumbre del Cacao 2025, held at the Expoplaza Convention Center, established itself as the highlight of Ecuador's cocoa agenda, bringing together more than 2,000 participants, including farmers, exporters, researchers, and local and international officials.
From the outset, the event was more than an exhibition: it became a platform for industry transformation. The ribbon-cutting was led by Dr. Egbert Spaans, founder of AgroAnálisis and an international agricultural consultant, who also served as a moderator in technical discussions, contributing his experience to guide debates on sustainability, traceability, and innovation in cocoa.
An exceptional context for Ecuadorian cocoa
Ecuador came to this event at an unprecedented moment: in the first quarter of 2025, cocoa and cocoa product exports reached 139,000 metric tons, generating USD 1.333 billion, representing an increase of 161% in value compared with the previous year. This extraordinary growth positions cocoa as the country's second most important non-oil product, and revives the ambition to become the world's second-largest producer.
The event centered on three key themes:
- Agronomy: fermentation technology (with a particular focus on the CCN51 clone), drone use, and precision agriculture.
- Sustainability: key adaptations for accessing the European market.
- Business: analysis of cocoa prices, cost structures, and differentiation strategies based on quality and flavor.
Concrete initiatives from Guayas for rural development
A key development: for the first time, the Guayas provincial government, led by Marcela Aguiñaga, served as a co-organizer. The event mobilized more than 150 small-scale farmers from cantons such as Juján, Bucay, and Naranjal, who gained access to technical workshops, specialized training, and opportunities for commercial visibility.
Investment exceeded USD 1 million, allocated to providing cocoa seedlings and agroecological kits, with a focus on women and young people, as a clear commitment to rural equity. The event's vice presidency also included the “Pepa de Oro” competition, which recognized three farms for the best beans: Hacienda Balao Chico (first place), Hacienda Bola de Oro and Hacienda San José.
AgenciaAgro's strategic perspective
For Billy Sánchez, an agribusiness consultant at AgenciaAgro, the summit clearly demonstrated the industry's transformation: “We saw Ecuador establish itself not only as a major producer, but as a benchmark for quality, sustainability, and added value. The challenge now is to connect businesses with demanding international markets, and that is our contribution at AgenciaAgro.”
As part of that commitment, we support AgroAnálisis, a strategic client, in designing its communications strategy for the local market.
The Cumbre Cacao 2025 marked a milestone: it established itself as a global showcase, an innovation laboratory, and a space for empowering Ecuadorian producers. With exports rising, institutional support, and a shared vision for sustainability, Ecuador's cocoa industry reaffirmed its key role in global agriculture.
AgenciaAgro remains committed to its mission: strengthening brands and projects that drive change from Ecuador to the world. Major transformations begin with shared ideas… and well-communicated strategies.
