World Cocoa Foundation event returns to Amsterdam
Plans for the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership (WCF) partnership meeting have been unveiled for its 2026 edition, with addressing its future stability being placed at the core of the event, writes Neill Barston.
Last year, its meeting was held in Brazil, but the show will be brought back to Amsterdam for next year’s iteration, where it will once again share space as part of the city’s cocoa week, alongside the key Chocoa event.
It will take place between 17–18 February at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam during Amsterdam Cocoa Week. The meeting is the most influential global forum for debate and collaboration on cocoa and chocolate sustainability, and this year’s theme “Securing Cocoa’s Future in a Changing World” reflects the critical challenges shaping the sector’s future.
As last year’s meeting discussed, there remain major tests in supply chains, including cocoa prices being notably heightened. They had reached $12,000 a tonne on commodities markets by the start of this year, which has now receded to around just under $7,000 a tonne on New York and London trading platforms. There have been ongoing tests of crop disease, climate change, as well as further concerns regarding cocoa smuggling in West Africa
In response, the 2026 Partnership Meeting will spotlight practical solutions and bold collaboration to protect cocoa’s future and strengthen resilience across the value chain.
“This is not business as usual. Cocoa’s future depends on fresh thinking, faster action and stronger partnerships. The Partnership Meeting is where leaders come together to move from talk to tangible change,” said Chris Vincent, President of the World Cocoa Foundation.
Programme Highlights
Cocoa Resilience at Risk: tackling cocoa diseases such as swollen shoot and frosty pod with fresh global responses from scientists, farmers and institutions
State of Regulation: how companies can prepare for fast-changing sustainability rules in Europe and beyond, with support from WCF tools and standards
Cocoa at the Crossroads: senior officials from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana on the future of origin-country leadership
Shaping Tomorrow’s Cocoa: emerging producers from Brazil, Ecuador, Nigeria, Cameroon and Indonesia on their growing global influence
The Cocoa TechXchange will return as a dynamic space for showcasing innovation and practical solutions, connecting industry leaders, tech developers and farmer-focused organisations.
As part of Amsterdam Cocoa Week, WCF continues its partnership with CHOCOA, ensuring alignment with wider industry and civil society dialogues while maintaining its focus on high-level strategy, sustainability impact and sector transformation.
