“Sustainability” – especially the sustainable production of cocoa and chocolate – was the core theme of the three-day international conference Chocovision, which ended yesterday in Davos/Switzerland. Launched in 2012 and hosted by leading cocoa and chocolate producer Barry Callebaut, the event brings together bi-annual leaders and key stakeholders from the cocoa, chocolate and confectionery industries to discuss strategic issues of common interest.

More than 200 personalities from business, politics and civil society, including the Norwegian “sustainability prophetess” Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, this time came to the industry forum. They discussed what can be done in cooperation to ensure a sustainable future for all stakeholders along a transparent cocoa and chocolate value chain – from farmer to producer and trader to consumer. A future without poverty and environmental destruction, without factors such as child labor, gender inequality, destruction of the rainforest and climate change.

Given that cocoa farmers only receive 3 % of chocolate sales, which in many cases means living in poverty, representatives of all groups have had their say. Three sessions explored how modern technology – whether genetics, artificial intelligence or e-commerce – drives innovation in the chocolate sector, how to ensure a materially secure and sustainable “chocolate future” especially for the growing sector, and which role economy plays. The development of the cocoa sector in Ecuador was presented as a positive, even “revolutionary” example. SG-Magazin and Sweets Processing magazines will cover the event in detail in their upcoming issue.