ABOUT

LOCATION: Lima, Peru

DATES: July 17-19, 2025

Coinciding with the XI Chocolate Salon for a full Fairtrade cocoa experience 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 

WHY ATTEND? 

✅ Connect with key players: Producers, exporters, buyers, and industry experts. 
✅ Learn from global leaders: Panels on sustainable cocoa supply and demand. 
✅ Discover impactful stories: Sustainability and equity transforming communities. 
✅ Experience cocoa like never before: Exclusive Fairtrade cocoa tastings and access to Lima Salón du Chocolat. 

TICKETS 

PROGRAMA

Explore the key themes that will guide discussions during the forum:

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE COCOA PRODUCTION: THE ROLE OF ORGANIZED PRODUCERS. 

• Sensory Experience: Introduction to Cocoa Evaluation Criteria and Experiences from the Quality Project in Ecuador. 

• Keynote: The Cocoa Landscape in the Region. 

• Panel Discussion: Organized Producers and Collaboration in the Fairtrade Supply Chain for Long-Term Sustainable Cocoa. 

SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND REGULATIONS: EFFORTS IN THE COCOA SUPPLY CHAIN 

• Panel Discussion: Strategies to Comply with the EUDR Before Its Implementation. 

• Panel Discussion: Impact of the New Organic Regulation on the Cocoa Supply Chain. 

• Break-out Session #1 – Agroforestry Investments: Benefits for Producers, Crops, and Nature. 

• Break-out Session #2 – Carbon Capture and Fairtrade: Experiences from Certified Producers and Benefits for Businesses. 

MARKETS, HIGH PRICES, AND FAIR TRADE COCOA: IMPACT ON COOPERATIVES AND THE VALUE OF FAIRTRADE 

• Keynote: Market Price Fluctuations and Future Expectations. 

• Panel Discussion: Fairtrade in Times of High Prices. 

• Keynote: What Are Fair Trade Business Partners and Consumers Looking for Today? 

IMPACT OF FAIRTRADE ON PRODUCERS: ASSOCIATIONS AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT 

• Break-out Session #1: Living Incomes and Fairtrade. 

• Break-out Session #2: Fairtrade and HREDD. 

• Break-out Session #3: Women and Youth in Fairtrade. 

THOMAS LINSHALM

Head of Cocoa Sourcing and Producer Relations, Zotter Schokolade

Austria

Thomas Linshalm serves as the link between Zotter Schokolade and cocoa producers in Latin America. With extensive experience in cocoa selection and quality control, he works closely with cooperatives to ensure sustainable practices and high standards. His approach is based on direct collaboration with farmers, fostering trust-based relationships and ensuring producers receive due recognition for their work. LinkedIn: Thomas Linshalm

JORGE CONESA

Director, Fair Trade Advocacy Office

Belgium

Jorge Conesa joined the Fair Trade Advocacy Office in 2019 and became its Director in 2022. His background includes experience as an advisor at the European Parliament and as a trade officer at the Spanish Consulate in Guangzhou, China. His expertise in EU legislative dynamics strengthens global fair trade advocacy. LinkedIn: Jorge Conesa

THOMAS ZULIAN

Commercial Director, Fairtrade Italia

Italia

Passionate about agricultural raw materials and distribution channels, he is the Commercial Director of Fairtrade Italia. With over 15 years of experience, he has promoted Fairtrade certification and human rights in agricultural supply chains. He collaborates with leading retail brands, branded product companies, and the horeca sector, supporting partners in adopting more sustainable business practices. LinkedIn: Thomas Zulian

ANNA SIMIONATO

Product Manager, Fairtrade Italia

Italia

Product Manager at Fairtrade Italia with a Master’s in International Development. Over the past two years, she has specialized in cocoa, managing key accounts of chocolate manufacturers and retailers in Italy, supporting Fairtrade certification, and collaborating on data analysis of raw material purchases and their impact on producers. LinkedIn: Anna Simionato

JULIEN SIMONIS

Gerente de Programa, Cacao of Excellence

Bélgica

Julien has been Programme Manager at Cacao of Excellence since 2023 and joined its Technical Committee in 2021. He brings 15+ years of R&D experience in the chocolate industry, focused on cocoa sensory analysis. From 2012 to 2021, he led international research at Puratos-Belcolade on post-harvest processes and flavor. He also served as a global sensory reference for the Puratos Group. Julien holds an MBA in Innovation Management and a Master’s in Bioengineering. LinkedIn: Julien Simonis

XIMENA HERRERA

Supply Chain Manager at Fairtrade Germany

Germany

Ximena Herrera is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the coffee and cocoa value chains, including more than six years specializing in Fairtrade. She currently serves as Supply Chain Manager at Fairtrade Germany, where she leads initiatives across the Global South to strengthen relationships with producer organizations and promote a more inclusive and sustainable global trade. LinkedIn: Ximena Herrera Dips

ALBERT SCALLA

Senior Vice President of Trading at StoneX Group

United States of America

Albert Scalla is an expert in risk management strategies for commodity markets. With a distinguished career at Hencorp, he co-created CoffeeNetwork, an online platform for coffee market analysis. He has spoken at international seminars and is known for tailoring trading strategies to specific market dynamics. His work reflects a strong commitment to financial innovation and education. LinkedIn: Albert Scalla

GABRIELA KOZLOVÁ

Head of Marketing and Business Development, Fairtrade Czech Republic and Slovakia

Czech Republic

With over 10 years in Fairtrade, Gabriela leads the commercial strategy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, managing key business relationships and driving market growth. She brings to the the Forum a practical view on how emerging markets are shaping sustainable trade, grounded in deep local experience. LinkedIn Gabriela Kozlová

JOHANNA SCHMIDT

Cocoa Manager, Fairtrade International

Germany

Since 2012, Johanna Schmidt has worked within the Fairtrade system—first at Fairtrade Germany and now at Fairtrade International—where she focuses on cocoa and strengthens connections between Producer Networks and National Fairtrade Organizations to enhance impact for cocoa producers. LinkedIn: schmidtjohanna

NAPOLEÓN MOLINA

Director of the Cocoa & Coffee Program – RIKOLTO Latin America

Honduras

Napoleón is an agricultural engineer with a master’s and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. He has extensive experience coordinating projects, managing agri-food value chains, and strengthening producer organizations and SMEs across Latin America. In his role at RIKOLTO Latin America, he leads initiatives to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the cocoa and coffee sectors. LinkedIn Napoleón Molina

GONZALO RÍOS

General Manager, Cooperativa Agraria ACOPAGRO Ltda.

Peru

Economist with a Master’s in Agribusiness, Gonzalo Ríos has led ACOPAGRO—Peru’s first organic and Fairtrade cocoa exporting cooperative—for 27 years. He has also completed specialized training in agricultural management, strategic leadership, and innovation at universities in Peru, Spain, Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico.LinkedIn: gonzalo-rios-nuñez

KRISTÍNA HAJNÍKOVÁ

Marketing and Business Development Coordinator, Fairtrade Czech Republic and Slovakia

Slovakia

Kristína is responsible for developing relationships with business partners in Slovakia and coordinating market activities. With a background in the confectionery industry, she works to raise awareness of the principles and importance of the Fairtrade system across the entire supply chain. LinkedIn: Kristína Hajníková

MARCO GALLI

Sustainable Procurement – ICAM S.p.A.

Italy

Responsible for cocoa sourcing at Icam Chocolate, managing relationships with cocoa cooperatives in Latin America and Africa. A development economist with a passion for food and organic agriculture, he has specialized in cocoa sourcing over the past four years, addressing key challenges and social impacts across the supply chain. LinkedIn: Marco Galli | LinkedIn

MIGUEL QUISPE LAMBERTO

Manager, Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa Ltda.

Peru

Executive with over eleven years of experience in operational and strategic management within the coffee cooperative sector. He has held key roles such as Operations Manager and General Administrator at Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa Ltda., leading business development, marketing, and association projects. He holds a strong background in Business Administration for producer organizations. His career includes work in multicultural environments, senior-level human capital management, and active participation as a liaison officer for FLOCERT representing the cooperative.

EVERT THOMAS

Senior Scientist, Alliance Bioversity – CIAT

Belgium (origin) / Peru (residence)

Evert is originally from Belgium and lives in Lima. He works on the conservation of forest genetic resources and the characterization of cacao diversity in Latin America and the Caribbean. His approach combines tools from spatial modeling, genetics, and ecology. He currently leads the development of platforms such as www.cacaodiversity.org to support the design of agroforestry systems. LinkedIn: Evert Thomas

LUIS GUZMÁN

Commercial Director, Machu Picchu Foods

Peru

 in New York. He later returned to Peru to join Machu Picchu Foods, where he led multidisciplinary corporate projects. He currently heads the commercial team, with a specialization in exporting specialty chocolates. LinkedIn: Luis Guzmán

MICHEL YUCRA VARGAS

Commercial Manager, El Ceibo R.L.

Bolivia

Michel Yucra Vargas has worked at El Ceibo R.L. since 2015, a Bolivian cooperative of over 1,200 cacao-producing families. He oversees national and international sales and represents the organization at trade fairs. He has led the cooperative’s participation in events like Biofach (Germany), promoting fine cacao and value-added products. LinkedIn:  Michel Yucra Vargas

JOSÉ SAN MARTÍN

Member of the Peruvian Coffee and Cocoa Chamber; General Manager, Exportadora Romex S.A.

Peru

An Industrial Engineer with over 35 years of experience in the coffee sector and 22 years in the cocoa industry. He is currently the General Manager of Exportadora Romex S.A., one of Peru’s leading agro-exporting companies. José has played a key role in developing the fine flavor cocoa value chain in the country. LinkedIn: José San Martín

NENE LUIS SANTIVAÑEZ

General Manager, Cooperativa Agraria El Quinacho Ltda N° 078

Peru

Responsible for the administrative and legal management of the cooperative in the Apurímac and Ene River Valleys, Ayacucho. Leads training and technical support for members on organic and Fairtrade-certified coffee and cocoa, including harvest, post-harvest, and commercialization processes. LinkedIn: Nene Luis Santivañez

DINA MARIAM COTACHE

Vice President of the Board of Directors, Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa Ltda.

Peru – Junín – Pangoa

Dina Mariam Cotache Pampas joined Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa Ltda. in 2005. She manages a cacao farm and primary forest conservation area named “Monte Real.” She currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors, President of the Women’s Committee, and President of the Education Committee at CAC Pangoa Ltda.

WILDER ÑAHUI

Executive Director at FUNDOPO (Dominican Foundation of Organic Producers)

Peruvian, resident in the Dominican Republic

He has over 18 years of experience in Organic Certification, Fair Trade, and Regenerative Agriculture in the cocoa sector. He has led internal control systems, audits, and training processes. His work focuses on connecting producers with differentiated markets. He is a specialist in high-yield cocoa cultivation. LinkedIn: Wilder Ñahui

LENIN ROBAYO

Head of Information Monitoring and Analysis, UNOCACE

Ecuador

 Lenin is an economist with a specialization in climate change and a master’s degree in applied statistics. He has experience analyzing social, productive, and environmental projects, as well as in living income studies and socioeconomic data. He currently serves as Monitoring and Information Analysis Lead at UNOCACE. LinkedIn: Lenin Robayo

ELMER ZAPATA ROJAS

Manager of Asocaval and Chocolate Colombia

Colombia

Elmer is a cocoa producer from Valdivia, Antioquia, and the current President of CLAC’s Cocoa Network. For over 12 years, he has served as manager of Asocaval and Chocolate Colombia, Fairtrade organizations that bring together more than 1,300 families involved in voluntary crop substitution processes. His work has strengthened the cooperative solidarity model in several regions of Colombia. LinkedIn: Elmer Zapata Rojas

LADY PAREDES AVILA

Quality Assurance Manager – UNOCACE

Ecuador

Food Technologist and Agricultural Engineer with over 12 years of experience in cocoa. Specialist in physical and sensory analysis, she advises on post-harvest processes and leads the quality department at UNOCACE. Member of the National Tasting Panel and judge in competitions like CHOCAO and Amazonian Cocoa Day. Certified Chocolate Taster (IICCT) and participant in international activities with Cacao of Excellence.

LUIZ CALADO

Engagement Manager for Latin America, World Resources Institute / Global Forest Watch Pro

Brazil / São Paulo

Luiz is an agronomist with an MBA in Business Management and a Master’s in Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions. He has over 20 years of experience in the region. At WRI – LATAM and GFW Pro, he leads collaborative initiatives with agricultural stakeholders, governments, and civil society, promoting the use of data and tools to support the implementation of voluntary standards and EUDR. LinkedIn: Luiz Calado

ABBY MASSEY

Senior Business Development Manager, Fairtrade America

United States

In her current role, Abby leads Fairtrade America’s cocoa strategy, manages partnerships with major brands, and builds relationships with prospective Fairtrade brand partners. With over a decade of experience in sustainable agriculture and ethical food systems, she has worked to strengthen farming communities and responsible sourcing. She holds dual M.A. degrees in International Affairs and Natural Resources & Sustainable Development. LinkedIn: Abby Massey

MICHEL ARRION

Executive Director, International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)

Belgium

Michel is a lawyer by training and former EU official, he held ambassadorial posts in Nigeria, Rwanda, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. Under his leadership, the ICCO has promoted greater transparency and cooperation in the sector, advancing the vision of a sustainable World Cocoa Economy. LinkedIn: Michel Arrion

DAN WATERS

CEO, Hu Chocolate and Enjoy Life Foods

United States

cDan Waters is CEO of Hu Chocolate and Enjoy Life Foods, subsidiaries of Mondelez International. He has broad experience in strategic leadership across North America and Europe. He previously held roles at Groupe Bel, Barilla, Gap Inc., and Deloitte Consulting. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Miami University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two children. LinkedIn: Dan Waters  

FORTUNATO VELÁSQUEZ MARCA

International Advisor on Dynamic Agroforestry at ECOTOP Swiss

Bolivia

An agronomist by training, Fortunato has worked in dynamic agroforestry for the past 17 years with ECOTOP across Central and South America. In Bolivia, he coordinates projects with farming families and also produces cacao on his own farm. LinkedIn: Fortunato Velásquez

WILLIAN VÁSQUEZ SALDAÑA

Technical and Certification Manager, Cooperativa Agraria ACOPAGR

Peru

Agronomist with 15 years of experience in tropical crops, specialized in organic and climate-smart cacao in agroforestry systems. Responsible for the Internal Control System (ICS) in compliance with Organic Production Standards (RTPO, NOP/USDA-CE), DEMETER, and Fairtrade.

MAYARÍ CHUA SOTO

Sustainability Project Manager, Weinrich Schokolade

Mexico, Germany

Environmental engineer with a master’s degree in Global Change Management obtained in Germany. She has technical experience in sustainability projects in coffee production. Since 2021, she has led the sustainability projects area at Weinrich Schokolade, with a primary focus on the cocoa supply chain. Her work involves planning, monitoring, and corporate reporting (M&E) of initiatives in the Dominican Republic and Ghana. LinkedIn: Mayarí Chua Soto

LOREN STODDARD

CEO and Founder, VERIDICOR

United States

Loren has over 25 years of experience in economic development. He served as Program Director at USAID, where he led the Alternative Development Program in Peru, promoting crops like cacao and coffee in regions such as San Martín and Ucayali. His work strengthened value chains, local services, and market access. Under his leadership, over 75,000 hectares of sustainable crops were planted. LinkedIn: Loren Stoddardc

CARLOS VILLALOBOS

Regional Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, FLOCERT GmbH

Costa Rica

Carlos is an Agricultural Engineer with two MBAs in Business Administration (Finance and Quality). Since 2009, he has been FLOCERT’s Regional Manager, leading Fairtrade certification processes. He previously held executive roles in the agricultural sector. LinkedIn: Carlos Villalobos

NUBIA MARTÍNEZ

Professor and researcher, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru

Colombian residing in Peru

Nubia is an Agronomist with a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences and a PhD candidate in Food Science. She has promoted cocoa from genetic improvement to quality evaluation. A former breeder at Fedecacao (Colombia), she researches post-harvest, trains tasters in Latin America, and advises international bodies like Cocoa of Excellence and International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). LinkedIn: Nubia Martínez

SPONSORS

Be Part of the Fairtrade Sustainable Cocoa Movement. Check out our sponsorship packages here or contact us at [email protected]. 

OUR MAIN PARTNERS

Platinum

Silver

Sponsorship Packages: Unique Opportunities for Your Brand

VENUE

📍 VENUE: Lima Convention Center 

ADDRESS: Av. de la Arqueología 206, San Borja 15021, Peru

📍 STRATEGIC LOCATION: The event will take place at the National Cultural Center (CCN) in San Isidro, near the National Museum and the Ministry of Education. 

HOW TO GET THERE 

FAIRTRADE COCOA TASTING

he First Fairtrade Cacao Tasting is part of the 3rd Edition of the Fairtrade Cacao Forum and will take place on the third day of the event, alongside the Lima Chocolate Salon. Attendees will explore the flavors and aromas of Peruvian cacao, highlighting its quality and increasing its visibility among key industry players. 

WHY PARTICIPATE? 

• Learn sensory evaluation techniques using the methodology recognized by Cacao of Excellence, organizers of the Cacao Awards. 
• Discover best practices for improving cacao quality and achieving outstanding sensory profiles. 
• Receive direct feedback on the cacao beans tasted, providing valuable insights for your business. 
• Network with producers, international buyers, and key market players. 

COCOA TO TASTE

The tasting will feature a diverse selection of high-quality cacao from different regions of Peru: 

San Martín 
Huánuco 
Ucayali 
Cusco 
Ayacucho 
Junín 
Amazonas 
Madre de Dios 
Piura 

Are you a Fairtrade-certified organization and want to showcase your cacao at the tasting? Contact us at [email protected] 

PRODUCTION DATA

Discover the most relevant data on Fairtrade cocoa production in Latin America and the Caribbean:

Welcome to our III Fairtrade Cocoa Forum, we are excited to welcome you in Lima, Peru.  As a first step, you will need to complete this form to register your participation. Please read carefully and answer all the questions. The information will be included in our registration database and within 10 working days a link will be sent to your email to make the payment for your registration. See you soon!