Ecuador is the most biodiverse country per square kilometer in the world, with over half of its territory covered by native forests and a third declared as protected natural areas. Seventy-four percent -74%- of its forest area is located in the Amazon region, which also hosts eleven indigenous nationalities (Kichwa, Shuar, Achuar, Waorani, Sapara, Andwa, Shiwiar, Cofán, Siona, Siekopai, and Kijus), who live in and depend on the forests.

Additionally, Ecuador is a pioneer country in the fight against deforestation and forest degradation, implementing public policies with concrete results to transform traditional agricultural activities into sustainable agro-productive systems while preserving economic, social, cultural, and environmental priorities.

In Ecuador’s diverse landscape, many varieties of cacao are cultivated, including the unique variety, the ‘Nacional’, recognized as ‘Fine Aroma Cacao’ for its exquisite taste, delicate aroma, and exceptional characteristics.

The history of cacao dates back over 5,000 years ago in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where ancestral cultures discovered how to nourish themselves with its beans. Since then, cacao has been valued not only as food but also as medicine, a means of exchange, and a sacred element in religious ceremonies. Ecuador has established itself as one of the most important cacao producers worldwide, thanks to its ancient tradition and the exceptional conditions of its land.

This chocolate is a clear example of the efforts made by Ecuador to preserve the forest and promote sustainable production. The beans used come from the best farms owned by small producers in the province of Napo in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, featuring native varieties and improved national clones, cultivated using environmentally friendly practices that promote forest conservation.

In this province, farmers belong to the Kichwa indigenous community, who use ancestral biodiverse systems where cultivation coexists harmoniously with the forest. The Chakra is a family production unit that, in addition to producing food and medicine, represents a way of life, where farmers form a spiritual connection to the land and prioritize preserving nature.

Every bite of this deforestation-free chocolate is a testimony to the harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and environmental care.

Under the umbrella of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the REDD+ Action Plan 2016-2025, the Ecuadorian government implements programs such as PROAmazonía and Payment for REDD+ Results with the aim of creating an enabling environment to consolidate sustainable, deforestation-free agriculture.

These programs are under the leadership of the Ministries of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, and Agriculture and Livestock, with UNDP as the implementing agency. Through these projects, a productive transformation has been achieved in the cacao supply chain in the Amazon. The implementation of sustainable agricultural practices and the establishment of agroforestry systems have been promoted, aiming to enhance the efficiency of production systems and reduce pressure on forests. In addition, by strengthening producer organizations, the quality and traceability of cacao have been improved.

«We have always done pollution-free work, preserving the environment…»

CRISTOBAL CELI – Partner of APROCASH 

Private sector involvement has also been crucial. International companies, such as Lavazza and Silva Cacao, and national companies, like Paccari, are supporting deforestation-free production by marketing high-quality products, paying differentiated prices, and enhancing the capacity of producer organizations.

These actions directly contribute to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):