Amid a significant drop in cacao prices, Chiapas is preparing to celebrate the Seventh Cacao and Chocolate Festival 2025, an event that will bring together more than 50 local and national producers in two venues: from August 29 to 31 at the San Cristóbal de las Casas Museum (MUSAC) and on September 2 and 3 at the State Congress in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
The event coincides with the commemoration of National Cacao and Chocolate Day, a date that seeks to recognize the historical, cultural, and economic importance of this bean, considered since pre-Hispanic times as “the food of the gods.”
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Chiapas produces around 28,000 tons of cacao per year, which represents more than 60% of the national total. The main producing areas are in Cacahoatán, Tapachula, Suchiate, and Soconusco, although there are also plantations in the northern region and the jungle.
However, the cacao sector faces a difficult outlook. While in 2023 a kilo of cacao sold for 400 pesos, by 2025 the average price had dropped to 280 pesos per kilo, significantly affecting the income of producing families and jeopardizing small businesses that depend on this seed.
“We are coming out of a major crisis in the price of cacao. Fortunately, the cost has gradually been restored, but this has affected all the businesses that work with this seed. However, we seek to promote cacao consumption despite the market situation,” explained Jorge Luis, director of the festival.
The Cacao and Chocolate Festival was born in 2019 as a citizen initiative to revalue Chiapas cacao. “This festival was created with the intention of celebrating and revaluing this product, demonstrating that the cacao and chocolate of Chiapas are delicious, healthy, and of great cultural value,” said Jorge Luis.
With each edition, the event has grown in size and reach, consolidating itself as a benchmark for producers, artisanal chocolatiers, academics, tourists, and the general public.
“This year we will have two venues: from August 29th to 31st at the MUSAC in San Cristóbal de las Casas, and on September 2nd and 3rd at the State Congress in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. All activities are free and aimed at children and adults. We invite you to follow our social media for the full program,” the organizer emphasized.
Festival Activities and Offerings
More than 50 producers from Chiapas and other states will participate in this edition, offering a wide variety of products:
Artisanal chocolate bars
Traditional beverages such as pozol and tascalate
Educational conferences and workshops
Tastings and family activities
Tourism in San Cristóbal de las Casas represents an important support for producers, as visitors often purchase directly from the stands, generating immediate income and promoting the continuity of this agricultural tradition.
Cacao has been part of Chiapas’ history since Mayan times, when it was used as currency and in sacred rituals. Today, in addition to its cultural value, it remains an export product and a culinary attraction for the state.
“Visitors leave satisfied with the sales and quality of the products; we invite everyone to come and experience them,” concluded Jorge Luis.
The main challenge for producers remains consolidating a fair market, encouraging local consumption, and creating value chains that directly benefit those who grow the beans. Meanwhile, the 2025 Cacao and Chocolate Festival will be a space to celebrate, learn about, and enjoy a bean that remains a symbol of identity for Chiapas.
Source: oem
