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CAA International Cocoa Conference Exhibition & Gala Dinner

1 - 4 September 2026

Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre

2026 CAA International Cocoa Conference Exhibition and Gala Dinner

GOOD TOGETHER: BUILDING AN AGILE COCOA FUTURE

Our 2026 theme invites the entire cocoa and chocolate supply chain to unite in shaping a future that is flexible, forward-looking, and fair. Real progress happens when we share ideas, support one another, and adapt to change together. 

At the heart of it all is our ongoing mission to Keep Farmers Growing & Chocolates Flowing. Expect inspiring plenaries, hands-on masterclasses, a lively Cocoa Village exhibition, and the International Farmers’ Forum — each designed to spark innovation and strengthen partnerships across the value chain.

Pre-Conference

1 September

International Farmers Network Forum

(Invite Only)

Day 01

2 September

Conference

Time
2 Sept (Day 1)
All Day
  • Cocoa Village Booth Exhibition*

  • Photo Exhibition (The Asia Cocoa Story)*


Plenary Sessions

Morning

In conversation with some of cocoa's most prominent leaders

Afternoon

"Invisible No More"

IFNF Takeaways

Afternoon

What in the cocoa world is going on?!

Afternoon

Will cocoa grind to a halt?

Afternoon

EU Crash Test

Evening

Networking Evening

*ALL DAY (0900 - 1800) Exhibition @ Cocoa Village

Day 02

3 September

Conference

Time
Agenda
All Day
  • Cocoa Village Exhibition*

  • Photo Exhibition (The Asia Cocoa Story)*

Morning

Masterclasses

Plenary Sessions

Afternoon

Reimagining Chocolate

Afternoon

Can Cocoa Truly Go Green?

Afternoon

The Bittersweet Byte

Balancing AI's promise with the realities of the cocoa value chain

Evening

Gala Dinner

Ticket Holders Only

*ALL DAY (0900 - 1800) Exhibition @ Cocoa Village

Day 03

4 September

Social Day

Tours available for purchase (Check back for details)

2026 Programme

In Conversation with Some of Cocoa's Most Prominent Leaders

This opening conversation brings senior leaders from different parts of the cocoa chain onto one stage. They’ll share how they see the current situation, what is worrying them, and where they still see opportunity. Expect a candid, big‑picture discussion that sets the scene for the rest of the conference.

“Invisible No More” – Takeaways from the IFNF

Built around the International Farmers Network Forum (IFNF), this session puts young farmers and women leaders in the spotlight. They will share their experiences of growing cocoa today – from income and climate to market access – as well as business ideas they have developed with industry mentors. The discussion will focus on what companies can do differently on the ground: how to support these ideas, adjust sourcing models and make sure farmer voices shape real decisions, not just side events.

What in the (Cocoa) World Is Going On!

Overview of what’s happening now: supply and demand trends, weather and crop issues, regulation, consumer shifts. Explain the state of the cocoa world today.

Will Cocoa Grind to a Halt?

With record prices, cost‑of‑living pressures and more regulation, many are asking what this means for grind and demand. This session explores whether we could see a real slowdown – through reformulation, substitution or shifts between regions – and what companies can do to keep cocoa relevant and affordable. Panellists will talk about the trade‑offs they are facing and the strategies they are using to keep factories running and consumers interested, without walking away from farmers

EU Crash Test

The EU’s shifting regulatory landscape has sent shockwaves across the cocoa world. With delays, reconsiderations, and rising compliance expectations under the spotlight, the “crash test” is well underway—testing companies’ resilience, traceability systems, and commitment to sustainability. Yet behind the uncertainty lies opportunity: for forward-looking origin countries, grinders, and chocolate makers to align, innovate, and lead.

Reimagining Chocolate

Chocolate itself is changing – and so are chocolate experiences. In this session, brands and manufacturers will talk about how they are reworking recipes and formats – from sugar levels and cocoa content to new ingredients, origins and flavour stories – while juggling high input costs and tighter rules. Moderator Racheal Toh of Barry Callebaut will use consumer insights and sensory science to unpack how people perceive chocolate experiences today, asking which of the latest “better for you”, “plant‑based” or “ethical” claims reflect real shifts and which look more like hype or short‑lived fads. Drawing on the perspectives of an artisanal chocolatier, a chef and a disruptor, the panel will explore how and why chocolate formulations have evolved, what consumers are actually responding to, and what it really takes to design the next generation of chocolate experiences that are both on‑trend now and resilient over time.

Can Cocoa Truly Go Green?

Making cocoa “green” is not just about launching a new project or report. This session looks at what it would really take to move towards a low‑carbon, nature‑positive cocoa sector. Speakers will discuss climate‑smart and agroforestry practices, deforestation‑free supply chains, traceability, carbon markets and who actually pays for all of this. The conversation will focus on what is already working, where the bottlenecks are, and how to make sure farmers benefit from the transition

The Bittersweet Byte - Balancing AI’s Promise with the Realities of the Cocoa Value Chain

This plenary looks at how far AI is genuinely helping the cocoa sector today – and where expectations are running ahead of reality. Rather than asking whether cocoa should adopt more AI, the session starts from what is already happening in cocoa and in other crops such as rice, coffee and palm oil, where tools like machine learning and computer vision have delivered both useful breakthroughs and clear disappointments.

Moderator William Gaultier will steer the discussion away from buzzwords and feature lists toward business viability, data readiness and farmer impact, highlighting a handful of AI‑enabled solutions that work under real‑world conditions, as well as practical red flags to help leaders tell the difference between solid investments and fast‑moving hype.

Previous Edition

2024 CAA International Cocoa Conference

CAA International Cocoa Conference 2024 Promotional video
CAA International Cocoa Conference 2024 Promotional video

CAA International Cocoa Conference 2024 Promotional video

02:49
[CAA] Interview with Mr. Gricha Safarian

[CAA] Interview with Mr. Gricha Safarian

03:13
[CAA] Interview with Mr. Chandra Panjiwibowo

[CAA] Interview with Mr. Chandra Panjiwibowo

01:43
International Farmers Network Forum

PRE-CONFERENCE

Organized by the Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA), this exclusive pre-conference session is specifically designed for farmers and community leaders involved in farming. It marks the inaugural workshop where farmers from various backgrounds come together for knowledge-sharing on farming techniques, training effectiveness, community development, farm succession planning, and other related topics.

Key insights from the session will be shared during the conference plenary.

11 September 2026
Pre-conference Agenda
Cocoa Association of Asia
CAA International Cocoa Conference Exhibition and Gala Dinner

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