Barry Callebaut has announced that it will be holding the first example of a new bi-annual conference for stakeholders in the cocoa/chocolate supply chain in June. The event, ‘Chocovision,’ will take place 5-7 June in Davos, Switzerland.
As the company notes, demand for chocolate has increased steadily over the years. More and more consumers, especially in emerging countries where there is a rising middle class, are discovering chocolate. This offers great business opportunities. However, stakeholders in the supply chain are facing a number of challenges.
“In addition to changing consumer needs and behaviour, the industry must cope with economic uncertainties and volatile prices of the respective raw materials and is confronted with increasing regulation,” said the company.
“In cocoa growing countries, unsustainable agricultural practices and challenging conditions in regard to social and political systems and infrastructure are just some of the issues the industry has to face.
“To bring together key players together Barry Callebaut has organised Chocovision, and has invited the major stakeholders from the cocoa, chocolate and retail industries to attend.
“Speeches and panel discussions with experts and professionals from all stakeholder groups will focus on strategy, sustainability and success,” said Barry Callebaut.
“Apart from three conference sessions, there will also be a high profile keynote address by musician and political activist Sir Bob Geldof and Nobel Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus.”
Attendees at Chocovision 2012 will have the opportunity to network with senior business leaders in the cocoa, chocolate and retail industries, influential politicians from around the world and representatives of prominent NGOs.
The symposium will offer a platform for debate between business and politics, NGOs and scientists, suppliers, farmers and consumers – all key players in the value chain, from cocoa bean to chocolate bar.
“There is an obvious need for better alignment and more efficient knowledge transfer as well as pro-active information sharing between all of the stakeholders in the supply chain, from farmer organisations, certification bodies, cocoa processors, chocolate manufacturers and retailers to consumers,” said Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut. “That is why we have initiated Chocovision, a neutral platform for informed discussion and debate.”
