Regulatory Council for Amazonas Peru Cacao Designation of Origin

By Espinosa Bellido Abogados

The National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) of Peru has granted the authorization certificate for the operation of the Regulatory Council of the Amazonas Peru Cacao Designation of Origin.

This certification will ensure that this product is commercialized while maintaining its unique characteristics and high quality, aiming to position it in international markets and boost the competitiveness of cacao producers.

The role of the Regulatory Council will be assumed by the Association of Organized Producers of the Amazonas Peru Cacao Designation of Origin (Procacao), which will be dedicated to guiding, monitoring, and controlling the production and processing of the product destined for commercialization, verifying compliance with technical standards and the regulations of the designation of origin.

It is worth remembering that the Amazonas Peru Cacao Designation of Origin, granted by Indecopi in August 2016 to distinguish the dry fermented bean with husk (Theobroma Cacao L. Var. "Native Cocoa"), benefits the family economy of more than 2300 producers in the provinces of Bagua and Utcubamba.

A Designation of Origin (DO) is a type of geographical indication that identifies a product as originating in a specific geographic location. In the case of the "Amazonas Peru Cacao," the DO certification indicates that the cacao beans have been grown, processed, and produced in a particular region of Peru.

Peruvian cacao is globally recognized for its exceptional quality, characterized by its fine taste and distinct aroma. Peru is a leading producer and exporter of cacao, with significant markets in the Netherlands, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia, the United States, Italy, Spain, and Germany.
In the realm of organic cacao, Peru ranks as the third-largest exporter worldwide, only behind Mexico and Indonesia. In 2022, Peru exported over 65,000 tons of cocoa beans, valued at more than USD 155 million FOB, marking an 18% increase in volume and an 8% increase in value compared to 2021.

The cacao industry in Peru involves approximately 90,000 producers, mostly smallholder farmers located in 16 regions of the country. In 2022, cocoa production reached 170,300 tons. From 2000 to 2020, global cocoa production grew by 72%, with Peru being the second-fastest-growing country during this period.