Arabfields, Naïla Mokhtari, Correspondent, São Paulo, Brasil — Brazilian chocolate producers are strengthening their international reputation after 13 locally made products received awards at the sixth International Chocolates Made at Origin Competition, held in a European country. The recognition highlights Brazil’s growing potential in the premium chocolate market.
The awards ceremony took place on October 30, 2026, during a major international chocolate industry event. Five Brazilian brands were recognised, with distinctions ranging from Gourmet Gold to Gourmet Diploma.
Kaê Chocolates emerged as the leading Brazilian winner, securing six awards. Its 37% Caipira white chocolate received the Gourmet Gold distinction, while its 64% Castanha e Flor de Sal earned silver recognition. Other products from the company, including its cupuaçu and coffee-inspired chocolates, also received awards.
Mestiço Chocolates collected two bronze distinctions, while its Gianduia La da Venda received a Gourmet Diploma. Meanwhile, Santa Catarina-based Nugali Chocolates secured two awards during its first participation in the competition. Its Serra do Conduru 80% cocoa bar and Cacau em Flor 63% bar were both recognised.
The results reflect a broader transformation in Brazil’s chocolate industry, where manufacturers are increasingly focusing on product quality, traceability and the distinctive characteristics of locally sourced cocoa.
For farmers in southern Bahia and the Amazon region, this growing international attention could translate into new commercial opportunities. The Serra do Conduru chocolate, for example, uses cocoa produced in southern Bahia, while Nugali’s Cacau em Flor combines cocoa sourced from Pará with Brazilian pink pepper.
These products demonstrate how agricultural communities can contribute to higher-value products rather than depending exclusively on the sale of raw cocoa beans. For small-scale farmers, the development of origin-based chocolate offers an opportunity to build closer relationships with manufacturers and participate in a more specialised market.
Brazil’s agricultural figures provide further context for this expansion. National cocoa production is estimated at approximately 321,000 tonnes in 2026, representing an increase of 8.9% compared with the previous year, according to agricultural estimates published in September. Pará remains the country’s leading cocoa-producing state, accounting for a substantial share of national output.
The chocolate manufacturing industry is also showing signs of expansion. Brazil produced approximately 814,000 tonnes of chocolate in 2025, compared with 805,000 tonnes in 2024. Industry representatives have indicated that production is expected to continue growing in 2026, supported by domestic consumption and product innovation.
The export market offers another source of potential growth. Brazilian chocolate exports reached 7,700 tonnes, worth approximately $47 million, during the first quarter of 2026. The country’s manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond traditional Latin American destinations towards European and other international markets.
However, expanding international sales will require more than recognition at competitions. Consistent cocoa quality, reliable supply chains, competitive production costs and stronger relationships with overseas distributors will remain essential.
Looking ahead, Brazil’s chocolate industry could benefit from the combination of rising production, specialised manufacturing and growing international interest in products with identifiable agricultural origins. If current production and export trends continue, premium chocolate makers may gain a larger presence in international markets over the coming years.
The awards represent an encouraging indication of that potential. They also underline an important economic opportunity for rural communities: turning regional agricultural resources into finished products that command greater value, while giving cocoa farmers greater visibility in the global chocolate trade.
