Mar 11. 2026

The CMAA International Cocoa Conference 2026, held in the Dominican Republic, once again brought together some of the leading players in the global cocoa and chocolate industry. Over several days, producers, traders, processors, and analysts shared knowledge, market analysis, and perspectives on the challenges that will shape the future of the sector.

At Nessentis, we would like to begin with a clear acknowledgement of the CMAA – Cocoa Merchants’ Association of America for organizing the event. The quality of the presentations was outstanding, and the networking program created valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations among professionals across the entire cocoa value chain.

A key event to understand the present and future of the cocoa market

The conference was attended by several members of our team, representing different areas of the group:

  • Marina Gómez, Chief Procurement & Risk Officer
  • Marc Sauret, Chief Commercial Officer
  • Jordi Sanahuja, Managing Director – USA
  • Ana María Hernández, Operations Manager USA
  • Albert Rius, Board Member
  • Josep Rius, Board Member

Their presence provided an opportunity to exchange views with different stakeholders across the sector and to analyze first-hand the trends currently shaping the global cocoa market, as well as the role of the Americas in an increasingly demanding environment.

A key point of discussion: supply conditions at origin

One of the most recurring themes throughout the conference was the clear availability of raw material at origin. In several producing countries, there is a notable presence of cocoa in plantations and a significant availability of product. This context suggests that in the coming months we could see a considerable reactivation of demand.

The sessions and conversations held during the conference made it possible to explore different potential scenarios, compare perspectives, and exchange views among professionals with diverse experience across the sector.

The climate factor: a structural risk for the sector

Another central topic of discussion was the impact of climate on global agriculture. Extreme weather phenomena continue to consolidate their position as one of the main risk factors for the global agricultural sector. In the case of cocoa, several experts pointed out that repeated and intensified cycles of the El Niño phenomenon could once again place significant pressure on the market in the future. This scenario highlights the importance of addressing climate risk from a dual perspective:

  • Sustainable action and agricultural adaptation, working directly on improving crop resilience.
  • Financial risk management, incorporating tools that help anticipate and mitigate potential market disruptions.

Sharing knowledge to make better decisions

Events such as the CMAA International Cocoa Conference enable something essential for the sector: the sharing of knowledge and the building of a collective vision.

At Nessentis, we strongly believe that understanding the global context is a fundamental part of our work. Listening to the different players in the market, analyzing trends, and contrasting perspectives allows us to better support our clients and partners in their decision-making. Because understanding the market is also part of doing things the right way.