“As an association of companies, entrepreneurs and managers, we have the obligation to also leverage some economic activities that are as important as those that are currently in the media permanently, such as cooking,” the president of the Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant and Similar Association (AHRESP), Carlos Moura, told Lusa, justifying the creation of the platform that aims to bring together “the maximum amount of knowledge around chocolate”.

The platform's objective is to promote interaction, exchange of information and cooperation between municipalities, companies and professionals engaged in the promotion and appreciation of chocolate and chocolate making.

“We want to have the history of chocolate, the science of chocolate, how chocolate is used today, how it is made today, how salt is added, many other ingredients are added”, unlike what happened in the past, stated Carlos Moura, highlighting that it was “a whole world of transformation and innovation” that led the association to want “to have a story that, at any time, can be told about chocolate”.

The National Chocolate Platform is the second to be registered in the country, with the Bread Platform (in Mafra) already formalised, and the Pastry Platform (in Évora), Wine Platform (in Régua) and Seafood Platform (in the Azores) being prepared.

The platforms have "two major purposes and objectives": "to promote economic activities that are less publicized", such as pastries and chocolate and, on the other hand, "to value professionals" who, in the case of chocolate, are "true artisans and a human heritage", said Carlos Moura.

The National Chocolate Platform will be based in Óbidos, in the district of Leiria, where the International Chocolate Festival is held annually, and will have “a dedicated manager”, who will develop activities and promote expansion to other municipalities and interested entities.

The mayor of Óbidos, Filipe Daniel, explained that choosing the municipality to host the platform presupposes, this year, “an investment by the municipality of 50 thousand euros and, in 2026, it will presuppose an investment of 25 thousand euros to continue” the project.

The aim is, with new members, to make “the platform self-sustainable from a financial point of view”, through the development of activities that also contribute to “creating opportunities for a chocolate industry”, he added.

According to Filipe Daniel, the creation of the platform has already generated “expressions of interest in Brazil, with several entities wanting to understand exactly what this platform is and how they can be partners, because they are cocoa suppliers”.

According to the protocol signed today in Óbidos, the platform is open to public and private members, namely farmers, distributors, service providers, traders, specialists, municipalities, associations, educational and research establishments, among other bodies “important in the recognition and promotion of chocolate and chocolate”.