Serving the Cocoa Supply Chain Since 1924
The Cocoa Merchants’ Association of America, Inc. (“CMAA”) is the leading merchant association addressing issues including trading, importing and the physical operations of cocoa beans and cocoa products in the United States by educating members on the complexity of the global supply chain.
We have a strong networking community with member companies representing all stakeholders throughout the supply chain from major importers, warehouses, transportation providers, samplers and weighers, to financial institutions, cocoa processers and branded chocolate makers. CMAA brings companies together as a community to discuss and solve various issues that arise throughout the supply chain. CMAA maintains working relationships with federal, state and local agencies, while partnering with other cocoa organizations, as well as other commodities with similar issues.
What we do
Warehouse Inspection Program
Monthly inspections of cocoa warehouse
CMAA Warehouse Inspection Program (WIP) was established to facilitate cocoa warehouse’s efforts to maintain appropriate standards of storage within the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act and all other pertinent Federal, State and Local requirements.
Contracts
Everything you need in one place
CMAA provides the framework for the industry’s standard terms and conditions in North America.
U.S. Regulatory and Policy
A quiet leader to help through complex regulatory issues
The CMAA has navigated complex regulatory issues over the years as a quiet leader through educating members and maintaining working relationships with several government agencies.
Events
The CMAA may best known for its successful events – ranging from traditional to over the top and unique. Including, facilitate food safety via education events, raising awareness of climate changes, charity fund and networking opportunities
Membership Benefits
CMAA provides the framework for the industry’s standard terms and conditions in the U.S. We offer arbitration services in New York for disputes that may arise using CMAA contracts and/or agreements. The process is a fair, just, ethical and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
Increasingly governments and consumers expect businesses, including cocoa merchants, to understand, manage and be transparent about whatever risks may occur along the cocoa supply chain. Risks may include the people who produce cocoa, the environment in which the cocoa is grown, the safety of workers transporting the cocoa or the consumers who purchase our products. CMAA has adopted supply chain management guidelines to help its members address these expectations and create a transparent supply chain.
The CMAA navigates complex regulatory issues as a leader through education and forming working relationships with several government agencies including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Customs and Border Protection Department of Agriculture (CBP AG) and NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
The CMAA Warehouse Inspection Program (WIP) was established in the early 1990’s to facilitate cocoa warehouses’ efforts to maintain appropriate standards of storage within the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act and all other pertinent Federal, State and Local requirements. As a value-added program the WIP has been updated with the new requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”) in mind. The program will allow participants to use this updated framework to help with their FSMA food safety plans. Existing CMAA members that wish to participate in the WIP must register separately for the program. Participation is also a requirement of ICE Futures U.S. for exchange licensing warehouses.
Challenges to the import and transportation of goods into the U.S. are increasingly showing up throughout the supply chain. Whether CMAA members are shipping goods in containers, break bulk or trailers, CMAA provides the guidelines for best practices when shipping and transporting to/in North America.
Challenges to the import and transportation of goods into the U.S. are increasingly showing up throughout the supply chain. Whether CMAA members are shipping goods in containers, break bulk or trailers, CMAA provides the guidelines for best practices when shipping and transporting to/in North America.
CMAA has a strong and active network of members representing companies coming together as a community to discuss and solve various issues that arise from time to time throughout the industry. CMAA maintains working relationships with federal, state and local agencies and partnering with other cocoa organizations as well as other commodities with similar issues.
The CMAA may be best known for its successful networking events. We host various member only events such as educational webinars, seminars, golf outings and receptions. The CMAA International Cocoa Conference is open to non-members but members will enjoy a discount.
Spot Prices & U.S. Import Statistics
Published cocoa statistics, including sport prices, are a benefit to CMAA membership.
CMAA oversees the administration of a weekly review among the CMAA oversees the administration of a weekly review of spot prices from the CMAA’s Regular members, who actively trade cocoa beans and/or cocoa products. The prices are used by our members, banks and analysts as an independent source of cocoa bean and cocoa product valuation. Members also have easy access to cocoa import statistics which are published by the U.S. Census Bureau through the Association.
Industry Relations & Social Networking
Creating a sense of community in the cocoa industry.
CMAA has a strong and active network of members which represent companies coming together as one community to discuss and solve issues that arise within the industry. CMAA maintains working relationships with federal, state and local agencies and partners with other cocoa organizations and other similar commodities. The CMAA may be best known for its successful networking events. We host various member-only events such as educational webinars, seminars, golf outings, and receptions. The CMAA International Cocoa Conference is open to non-members and members alike, with members enjoying a discount.
