Fundación Pachamama is making waves in the international chocolate industry by showcasing Amazonian cacao and its lesser-known relative, macambo, at two of the world’s most prestigious chocolate events: Salon du Chocolat in Paris and Amsterdam Cocoa Week’s Chocoa event. These conferences are helping to position sustainable, Indigenous-led chocolate production from the Ecuadorian Amazon on the global stage, opening doors for innovative products and reinforcing the importance of agroforestry in rainforest conservation.
Elevating Amazonian Cacao and Macambo at the Salon du Chocolat
The Salon du Chocolat in Paris, one of the world’s largest chocolate trade fairs, provided a unique opportunity for SaquiFrancia, an Ecuadorian-based, family-run business spanning three generations of women, to showcase its macambo-based chocolate products under the brand Kíla. Macambo—a wild-harvested relative of cacao—has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Unlike traditional chocolate, which faces a saturated market, macambo presents an entirely new offering with its distinct flavor and sustainable harvesting model.
The response from buyers and chocolate enthusiasts was overwhelmingly positive, with many intrigued by its creation process that enhances both texture and taste. This groundbreaking approach not only introduces a new flavor profile to the market but also supports local small cacao producers and Indigenous communities that rely on wild harvesting as a sustainable source of income.
Building Momentum at Amsterdam Cocoa Week’s Chocoa Event
Following the success in Paris, Corporación Chakra and SaquiFrancia, two organizations sponsored by Fundación Pachamama, brought their vision for sustainable Amazonian chocolate to Amsterdam Cocoa Week’s Chocoa event—an influential platform dedicated to promoting value-added cacao products and ethical supply chains. Participation in the event was largely made possible by the financial support of ProEcuador (Ministry of Production). The 2025 event gathered:
- Over 9,500 visitors in total over six days
- Nearly 3,000 attendees at Business-to-Business events and more than 6,500 consumers during the weekend
- Over 160 exhibitors at the Trade Fair and Festival
- A Chocolate Makers’ Forum connecting bean-to-bar innovators worldwide
- More than 4,000 participants in tasting experiences
Participating in Chocoa was a valuable opportunity for Corporación Chakra and SaquiFrancia, offering key benefits that strengthen their work in the Amazonian cacao and macambo value chains. The event yielded several benefits, including:
- Industry Insights: Access to a specialized financial course on the global cocoa market, providing valuable knowledge on industry trends, pricing, and economic dynamics.
- Global Networking: Connections with international cocoa experts, potential buyers, and key stakeholders, opening doors for future partnerships and market expansion.
- Macambo Innovation: Promotion of macambo as a groundbreaking product within the Theobroma family, positioning it as a unique and sustainable alternative in the industry.
- Strategic Alliances: Strengthening collaborations with international institutions, cooperation agencies, and private sector partners to drive the growth of Amazonian forest economies.
By leveraging these opportunities, Corporación Chakra and SaquiFrancia continue to advance sustainable value chains that protect the Amazon.
Strengthening the Theobroma Value Chain
Fundación Pachamama’s presence at these events is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the Theobroma value chain, which includes both cacao and macambo.
For cacao, the foundation has supported producer associations through Corporación Chakra, ensuring that Indigenous growers receive fair market opportunities. By promoting the ‘Sello Chakra’ (Chakra Label, which guarantees sustainable agroforestry practices), the foundation is helping reduce deforestation pressures while uplifting Indigenous women’s roles in production. Additionally, in recent years, Fundación Pachamama funded the organic certification for Kallari, allowing it to access premium international markets.
For macambo, Fundación Pachamama has played a pioneering role in developing new products and markets through sponsoring SaquiFrancia. By collaborating with Canadian entrepreneurs, the foundation helped create the first-ever macambo chocolate, using co-fermentation techniques to unlock new flavors. This work not only benefits local economies but also strengthens international recognition of the Amazon’s unique biodiversity.
A Sustainable Future for Amazonian Chocolate
With the momentum gained at Salon du Chocolat and Chocoa, Fundación Pachamama, along with Corporación Chakra and SaquiFrancia, continues to shape the future of Amazonian chocolate by connecting local small-scale cacao and macambo producers with global markets, promoting sustainable agroforestry, and developing innovative products that honor both tradition and ecological balance.
As the world increasingly seeks ethical and environmentally responsible products, Amazonian cacao and macambo are poised to become leading examples of how chocolate can support both people and the planet. Fundación Pachamama’s participation in these global events is not just about selling chocolate—it’s about reshaping the narrative of what ethical and sustainable production can look like for the future of the industry.
