Guayaquil cacao fair highlights local art, food and entrepreneurship

The Museo Nacional del Cacao and the Guayaquil municipality organized a cacao fair on Panama Street as part of the city’s festivities. The event gathered artisans, entrepreneurs and visitors around products derived from Ecuadorian cacao, including chocolate desserts, fruit dipped in chocolate, cosmetics made with cocoa butter, scented candles, soaps, creams, shampoos and handcrafted jewelry.

Featured participants included jeweler Maife del Pozo, who displayed a cocoa‑inspired collection, and the chocolatier Rohayhu, which offered truffles, strawberries and coffee‑chocolate treats. Visitors heard from artist Tomás Jácome, whose works recall the historic cocoa‑golden era of the Ecuadorian coast. One artisan said, “Es algo muy significativo del país; el cacao es algo que nos representa a todos.” The fair aimed to promote national cacao, preserve cultural memory and provide a market for local creators.