Cocoa: Ivorian Chocolatiers Showcase Their Expertise at the Paris Chocolate Show

From October 30 to November 3, 2024, a group of Ivorian artisanal chocolatiers and cocoa-processing cooperatives participated in the 2024 Paris Chocolate Show. This event provided them with the opportunity to showcase and sell their products, as well as refine their skills by connecting with peers from around the world.

For Ivorian artisans, the Paris Chocolate Show serves as a valuable training opportunity while awaiting the opening of the Cocoa Vocational Training Center currently being built by the Coffee-Cocoa Council as part of the TRANSCAO project.

The Council’s booth, decorated with visuals and themes promoting sustainable and traceable cocoa production projects, attracted considerable attention at the show. On October 31, 2024, this booth hosted a B2B meeting between the Ivorian delegation and representatives of the Confederation of French Chocolatiers and Confectioners, as well as committed chocolatiers. This session aimed to explore potential collaborations in the production and marketing of high-quality Ivorian-origin cocoa.

Sophie Kourouma, head of the Ivorian delegation in Paris, reassured her hosts about the ongoing reforestation initiatives within the coffee-cocoa sector and highlighted the impact of the First Lady’s leadership in the fight against child labor in cocoa farming. This commitment has led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of this issue in Côte d'Ivoire.