CATIE to Host International Congress on Sustainable and Resilient Cocoa

• Event to explore the future of cocoa under the leadership of international experts, producer panels, value-added workshops, and a field tour.

CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) invites all key actors in the cocoa sector to its International Cocoa Congress: Innovation, Genetics, and Agroforestry for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Production. Save the date—October 7-9, 2025—and join this event that will address the challenges and opportunities for cocoa cultivation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This event will be held at CATIE's campus in Turrialba, Costa Rica, and will feature four thematic sections: lectures by international experts, producer panels, value-added workshops, and a field tour.

The congress aims to foster knowledge exchange to enhance the resilience, quality, and modernization of cocoa in the face of climate change. Attendees will gain insights into scientific evidence and success stories in genetic diversity, sustainable productivity, and agroforestry.

This gathering will cover key topics for the future of cocoa, its transformation, and quality. Sustainable productivity will be explored through good agricultural practices and agroforestry systems, highlighting their role in ecosystem services and climate change adaptation. Additionally, a practical workshop on developing cocoa by-products and value-added techniques will promote innovation and sustainability in the industry.

Highlights of the agenda include keynote presentations by researchers and managers of commercial cocoa farms from at least 15 countries. Producers will also share their experiences with strategies and best practices to improve cocoa productivity and sustainability.

On a practical level, two special sections will broaden perspectives on cocoa’s future: a workshop combining tradition and creativity in ancestral recipes from the region, and a unique opportunity to learn directly from the heart of cocoa production during an on-site tour. This field trip will provide insights into CATIE's International Cocoa Collection and visit agroforestry farms in the Turrialba area to share ideas that advance a sustainable and resilient future for cocoa worldwide.

Mark your calendar for this enriching event, October 7-9, 2025, at CATIE in Costa Rica. Be part of the change toward a sweeter and more sustainable future!