Sedeme highlights the economic potential of Pará entrepreneurs at the 2025 Cocoa and Chocolate Fair
The proposal is to foster a competitive environment, boosting the sustainable economic development of Pará
The Secretary of Economic Development, Mining and Energy (Sedeme) participates in the programming of the 2025 Amazon Cocoa and Chocolate Fair – Flor Pará, with the exhibition at an institutional stand of products from six microenterprises in the chocolate and handicraft segments. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the jewelry collections that combine the richness of Amazonian cocoa with the beauty of gems and natural materials from the region.
The pieces, created by artisans and designers from the São José Liberto Space, use the traditional Pará enameling technique, incorporating colors and shapes inspired by Amazonian cocoa. The creations reflect a commitment to sustainability and value local culture through authorial design and innovation.
At the institutional stand, visitors can learn about various expressions of Pará handicrafts. Among the highlights are pieces of Amazonian ceramics, illustrated with scenes from riverside daily life, as well as decorative items for gardens, produced from repurposed wood. Two microenterprises specializing in gourmet chocolate and another two focused on jewelry and bio-jewelry made with noble metals will also be on display. The collections value the biodiversity of the Amazon and the local cultural richness, with creations inspired by the cocoa fruit, foliage, and natural elements of the region.
The Secretary of State for Economic Development, Mining and Energy, Paulo Bengtson, emphasizes that the mission of the Secretary is to develop and implement, sustainably, policies aimed at the economic growth of the mining and energy sectors. “This includes the development of strategic plans and programs for industry, commerce, services, and natural resources, highlighting the economic potential of Pará products. The proposal is to foster a competitive environment, boosting the sustainable economic development of Pará.”
Gabriel Ribeiro, 22, from the company King of Pallets, is one of the exhibitors. He works with garden crafts, produced from pallets—wooden structures used in the transport and storage of goods—transforming them into decorative pieces for outdoor areas. For him, the initiative and support from Sedeme represent a great opportunity to promote his work, gain new clients, and perhaps secure future partnerships. Additionally, it demonstrates how recycling discarded materials can become a viable business. “This is my first time exhibiting at the fair, and I confess I am excited,” says Gabriel. He shares that his father started the craft, and he accompanied him in the activity since he was little. Today, he leads the company.
“My father started this work when he was at the Aurá dump. He collected pieces of wood and began to repurpose them, giving rise to our small business. Currently, we acquire the material from residents of the Nova Vida community in the Aurá neighborhood, where we still live today. We are seeking partnerships with companies that discard this type of material, aiming to repurpose 100% of the pallets in the future. As a community, we are contributing to a more sustainable world,” he adds.
At the venue, the public can also appreciate the beauty and creativity of the handmade jewelry produced by designers Helena Bezerra and Júlia Mendes. The pieces, created at the São José Liberto Space (ESJL), combine noble metals, mineral gems, and cocoa nibs, applied through the traditional Pará inlay technique, which gives the jewelry a unique color and a striking regional identity.
The exhibition presents two authorial collections: Júlia Mendes showcases the “Cocoa” collection, composed of silver jewelry inspired by the shapes of the cocoa fruit. The pieces celebrate the biodiversity of the Amazon and the cultural richness associated with cocoa.
Helena Bezerra, in turn, presents the “Trilogy of Tomorrow” collection. The 925 silver jewelry uses the Pará enameling technique, bringing vibrant colors and organic shapes that honor Amazonian cocoa and reflect a commitment to sustainability and the valorization of local knowledge.
The fair is organized by the Government of the State of Pará and the Faepa/Senar System (Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of Pará/National Rural Learning Service). The event brings together 300 cocoa producers from various regions of the State, as well as Pará brands that work with origin chocolate. National and international representatives, including countries from the Amazon region, also participate.
Currently, Pará has 32,000 active cocoa producers, distributed over 229,175 hectares of planted area, with 169,655 hectares already in full production. This impressive performance resulted in the collection of R$ 358 million in ICMS, highlighting the economic relevance of cocoa cultivation in the State.
Service: The event, officially opened last Thursday, June 5, runs until Sunday, June 8, from 5 PM to 10 PM, at the Hangar Convention and Exhibition Center of the Amazon, in Belém. Admission is free, upon the donation of one kilogram of non-perishable food.
