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Dominican Republic strengthens its global cocoa, chocolate trade connections

7 January 2025
ITC News

A week-long chocolate festival in the Dominican Republic strengthens trade ties and boosts the Caribbean's role in the global cocoa value chain

The Dominican Republic is a powerhouse in the global cocoa industry, recognized as one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality cocoa beans.

The country is particularly known for its commitment to sustainable farming practices and its role in producing fine-flavour organic cocoa, which is highly sought after by premium chocolate makers worldwide.

The Dominican Republic's organic cacao production represents a substantial 70% of global organic cacao output – positioning it as a leader in environmentally friendly and socially responsible farming. Beyond raw cocoa, the country is increasingly making strides in chocolate production, showcasing its ability to create value-added products such as artisanal chocolates and bean-to-bar offerings.

The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other Caribbean countries are recipients of support from the “EU-ACP Business-Friendly” programme funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC). ITC is implementing activities with its Alliances for Action approach, promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains by fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Efforts within this framework seek to enhance value chain operators’ individual and collective competitiveness with specific attention to family farmers, agripreneurs, and processors.

The Dominican Chocolate Festival: A hub for premium cocoa production and trade

The Dominican Republic recently hosted the 4th Dominican Chocolate Festival, solidifying its role as a regional leader in the premium cocoa and chocolate market segments.

Held in September 2024, this week-long event aimed at strengthening trade ties and boost the Caribbean's role in the global cocoa value chain.

International buyers from Europe and the United States joined cocoa and chocolate producers from across the region for a packed agenda of activities. Plantation tours introduced attendees to agroforestry techniques and state-of-the-art processing centres, while business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions facilitated meaningful trade connections.

ITC moderated discussions on sustainable practices, growth opportunities, and new European regulations impacting the cocoa sector, equipping local producers with valuable knowledge to navigate international markets.

Throughout the week, international buyers visited key sites such as Cacao Florencio Ortega, Chocolala, and Oko Caribe – all members of the “EU-ACP Business-Friendly” programme cohort in the Caribbean region. These visits highlighted the Dominican Republic's dedication to sustainable and premium-quality cocoa, with a focus on post-harvest processes essential to its global reputation.

A standout moment of the festival was a panel discussion featuring buyers Beatrice Rosa (Cacao Motum, Italy), Rosario Brandão (The Cacau Club, Portugal), Lindsay Boushall (Formaggio Kitchen, USA), and Michaela Schupp from Chocolates de Luxe in Germany. It provided practical advice to Dominican producers on meeting international market demands and leveraging their unique strengths.

Lindsay Boushall summed up the event's success:

“Meeting the farmers and seeing the cacao has been a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to share what the Dominican Republic has to offer back home.”

The 4th Dominican Chocolate Festival not only celebrated the nation’s world-class cocoa but also forged new trade opportunities, paving the way for future growth and collaboration in the global premium chocolate market.

About the project

The “EU-ACP Business-Friendly” programme is funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and jointly implemented by ITC’s Alliances for Action, the World Bank and UNIDO. It seeks to improve the ability of agribusiness firms in ACP countries to compete, grow and prosper in domestic, regional and international markets. Through the Alliances for Action approach, it promotes inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains that value all stakeholders from farm to shelf.