From Conflict Zones to Green Exports: Colombia’s Cocoa Sector Embraces Sustainable Trade

Colombia’s cocoa sector is using agroforestry, traceability and certification to align peacebuilding and rural development with rising global sustainability demands, especially from export markets. While progress is clear, smallholder farmers face challenges in boosting productivity and meeting complex certification and digital traceability requirements.

In Colombia, cocoa is more than a crop. It has become a symbol of peace, environmental recovery and export ambition. A new OECD study by researchers Annelies Deuss, Olivia du Bois, and Diana Angulo examines how Colombia’s cocoa sector is responding to rising global demand for sustainability while seeking to expand its position in international markets.

Colombia is the world’s 10th-largest cocoa producer and a major supplier of fine-flavour cocoa, prized by premium chocolate brands. Around 95 percent of the country’s cocoa is grown by smallholder farmers, often on plots of about three hectares. Many use agroforestry systems, where cocoa trees grow under the shade of native species. This model gives Colombia a natural advantage in sustainability discussions.

From Conflict Zones to Cocoa Farms

After the 2016 Peace Agreement, cocoa was promoted as a legal alternative to illicit coca crops. In regions once dominated by conflict and illegal cultivation, cocoa farming became a tool for rebuilding rural economies. It was presented as a crop that could restore degraded land while providing a stable income.

At the same time, Colombia faces serious environmental challenges. The country is one of the most biodiverse in the world, yet deforestation remains a concern, especially in the Amazon region. Although cocoa itself is not considered a major cause of forest loss in Colombia, many sustainability programmes focus on deforestation prevention. This is partly because cocoa is often grown in areas previously affected by land degradation and partly because international buyers increasingly demand proof that cocoa is deforestation-free.

A Wave of Sustainability Initiatives

The OECD report identifies fourteen major sustainability initiatives shaping Colombia’s cocoa sector. These are led by public institutions, private companies or partnerships between the two. Most were launched in the last five years, reflecting both post-conflict development goals and growing pressure from export markets.

Rather than relying heavily on new regulations, these initiatives focus mainly on information and training. Farmers receive support in climate-smart practices, agroforestry management and digital record-keeping. Building knowledge and technical capacity is seen as the foundation for long-term sustainability.

Only a few initiatives include financial incentives such as payments for ecosystem services, where farmers can earn income from carbon credits linked to agroforestry. Most programmes concentrate instead on strengthening farming practices and improving transparency.

Traceability and Certification Take Centre Stage

One of the biggest changes in the sector is the rise of traceability systems. International markets, especially the European Union, now require strong proof that agricultural products are not linked to deforestation. As a result, many Colombian initiatives are developing digital tools that map farms using GPS and track production practices.

Traceability helps exporters prove where cocoa comes from and how it was produced. However, it also creates challenges. Smallholder farmers may need to use different digital platforms depending on the buyer. In remote areas with limited internet access, this can be difficult.

Certification is another key element. Many initiatives help farmers obtain labels such as Organic, Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance. These certifications can open access to premium markets and higher prices. Yet certification can be expensive and complex, making it harder for smaller producers to participate without support.

Small Farmers, Big Challenges

Colombia’s cocoa sector is built on smallholder farmers. This is both a strength and a challenge. Small farms are often closely connected to local communities and well-suited to agroforestry systems. But limited resources can make it harder to adopt new technologies, meet certification requirements or increase productivity.

The OECD study highlights several ongoing challenges. The sector needs to raise productivity to meet growing international demand while keeping sustainability standards high. It must also ensure that sustainable practices already used by farmers are formally recognised through certification and traceability systems. Finally, it must prevent fragmentation in digital monitoring tools so that farmers are not overwhelmed by competing requirements.

Colombia’s cocoa journey shows how agriculture, peacebuilding and global trade can intersect. With strong collaboration between government, private companies and international partners, the country is building a sustainability framework that is both practical and forward-looking. The next step will be ensuring that this framework remains inclusive and scalable, so that small farmers can thrive in a market that increasingly values environmental responsibility.