PH Chocolates Surprise at Chocoa 2019 in Amsterdam

Visitors at this year’s Chocoa 2019 are surprised to discover the good quality cacao and chocolate bars (‘’bean-to-bar”) from the Philippines that were offered for free tasting by Kablon Farms (top) and Auro Chocolate (bottom) from 21 to 24 February 2019. (MBH Operio, EV Perez of The Hague PE, Mark Go of Auro Chocolate photos)

THE HAGUE 11 March 2019 – Cacao producers from Davao and South Cotabato participated for the first time at the annual cocoa trade and chocolate festival CHOCOA 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands from 21 to 24 February 2019.

Moulinet Chocolate-Kablon Farms founder Estela Dizon, and Davao’s Auro Chocolate Director and Managing Director Kelly Go and Mark Ocampo joined 125 other exhibitors in the event, with the mission of contributing to the sustainable production and consumption of cocoa and chocolate in its entire value chain.

Philippine participants showcased their cacao-farming and chocolate production during presentations, “Discover the Unique Tastes and Traditions of Chocolate Made in the Philippines” by Ms. Go and Mr. Ocampo on 23 February, and “The Social Profile and Trade of Philippine Cacao as Fine Cocoa” by Ms. Dizon (24 February).

The events were considered very successful by both participants, which provided them the opportunity to introduce new cacao and chocolate products to the right audience. According to them, specialty chocolate shops in The Hague and in Amsterdam have placed their orders to retail Kablon and Auro chocolates in the Netherlands.

The Philippine Embassy in The Hague led by Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda and composed of First Secretary and Consul Shirley E. Banquicio, Trade Attaché Maria Helen B. Operio and Cultural Attaché Elea V. Perez, were on hand to lend support to the Philippine participating cocoa beans and chocolate entrepreneurs, together with Brussels-based Trade Counsellor Benedict Uy of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center and Department of Agriculture Agriculture Attaché Pit Laquian. END

For more information, visit www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph or  https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.

During his talk, Mark Go highlighted Auro’s unique story of its “’bean-to-bar’’ products that sustainably sources its cocoa beans directly from local farming farming communities in Davao. (MBH Operio, EV Perez of The Hague PE, Mark Go of Auro Chocolate photos)

Kablon Farms’ Estela Dizon with potential cacao and chocolate importers and distributors. (MBH Operio, EV Perez of The Hague PE, Mark Go of Auro Chocolate photos)