Percy Díaz Cuadros brought Vraem cocoa to the top at the 2025 Summum Awards

The Summum Awards 2025 recognized Percy Díaz Cuadros as the best cocoa producer in the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (Vraem). Deep in the Cusco jungle, this 47-year-old farmer and entrepreneur has built his own universe, living from what he loves most: cultivating cocoa. Although he acknowledges that farm work is demanding, he affirms that on his farm, fatigue transforms into fulfillment. “When I am in the cocoa plantation, I feel like time does not pass,” he says. His day begins at 5:00 a.m. and extends well into the evening. His farm, Bioselva, is located in Itariato, Kumpirushiato district, in the province of La Convención, Cusco. It comprises seven hectares cultivated with varieties such as chuncho, white, aromatic, and improved cocoa. Although he has been dedicated exclusively to cultivation for over a decade, his bond with cocoa dates back to his childhood. “My parents have been cocoa growers for over 40 years. I was born among cocoa pods,” he recalls. ...