Innovation Management
As expert in circular economy and sustainability in the cocoa sector, and founder of AFOODS® Group , I was honored to be invited by International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) to the 2024 World Cocoa Conference in Brussels, Belgium, as Lead Panelist. I presented on: Sensorial and Nutraceutical Quality Attributes – Seizing Opportunities with Innovative Cacao-fruit-based Products that address 4 fundamental issues: Health, Fairness, Ownership and Sustainability.
Today, consumers are increasingly looking for cocoa products that are not only healthy, but also set high social and environmental standards. However, they are disappointed because large companies in the cocoa industry market cocoa products that have none of the health benefits of cocoa. Farmers in cocoa-producing countries are being exploited and consumers have to pay more for unhealthy cocoa products.
Based on my experience with our innovations within AFOODS® Group , my talk touched on the possibilities of developing and successfully marketing new, INNOVATIVE products (that are based on traditional know-how) using the nutrients as well as health-promoting and sensory aspects of the cacao fruit (and not only cocoa) to provide cocoa farmers with an additional source of income and thus generate demand not only in the traditional markets, but above all in new markets.
I also emphasized the need for a system that clarifies the question of ownership of knowledge, transparency, and traceability from the very beginning, so that the cocoa farmers really benefit from all these new and innovative products (because they are the inspiration). Otherwise, the big players will continue to profit from these innovations. And the farmers’ share of the cocoa cake will remain very insignificant, regardless of the size of the cocoa cake.
A panel discussion followed my presentation, featuring experts from Africa, Europe and Latin America who shared insights on the importance of fair participation of cocoa farmers.