Today, the Cacao of Excellence Programme marked an important milestone with the official presentation of its new Research and Development Laboratory and Training Centre in Perugia. After operating its laboratory in Rome since 2023, the Programme has now formally transferred all scientific, sensory and training activities to Perugia, where the facility is hosted graciously by Destinazione Cioccolato within the Città del Cioccolato Museum. The Programme extends its appreciation to Eugenio Guarducci and the entire Destinazione Cioccolato team for their continued support throughout the transition.
Hosted and funded by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, with the generous support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Cacao of Excellence Programme presented the new facility in the presence of Dr Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General of the Alliance. His remarks highlighted the importance of scientific collaboration, agrifood innovation and strengthened national capacities as foundations for improving cacao quality globally.
The event welcomed representatives from Colombia, including Heidy Xiomara Ortega, Vice Minister for Agricultural Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia; Jhenifer Mojica, Ambassador of Colombia to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Renson Jesús Martínez Prada, Governor of the Department of Arauca; and Carlos Octavio Sarmiento Granados, Secretary of Agropecuary and Sustainable Development of Arauca.
A 14-member delegation from Arauca accompanied these representatives, bringing together producers and leaders from cacao cooperatives and local organisations. Participants included Elizabeth Agudelo Villamizar (Finca Villa Gaby), Jennifer Galeon (Chocolate Suruwa), Luz Stella Mejía (Aroma a Cacao), Rafael Olaya (Chocolate El Dorado), Colombian finalists of the Cacao of Excellence 2025 Edition, and leaders from COOTRASAR, COMPROCACAO, COOPCACAO, ASOFCASAR and other regional associations.
The new Cacao of Excellence R&D Laboratory and Training Centre serves as an international reference point for cacao quality, offering advanced sensory analysis, applied research and hands-on capacity development for national institutions, cooperatives and quality laboratories worldwide. Its role is central to the Programme’s mission of strengthening the connections between producers, science and markets, and supporting the global shift toward higher quality cacao and stronger technical expertise.
With the Perugia Laboratory now fully operational, the Cacao of Excellence Programme enters a new phase of scientific development and expanded collaboration, offering the cacao sector a dedicated space to advance research, deepen partnerships and experience the potential of exceptional cacao.
