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Cesar Rodriguez, executive director of the Dominican Environmental Consortium (CAD), shared that “The 5th Dominican Chocolate Festival promises to be more than an event: it will be a tribute to the work, passion, and history behind cocoa, inviting the entire Northern Region to live a multisensory experience and discover why Dominican chocolate conquers palates around the world.” During the exhibitions in Santiago de los Caballeros, attendees will be able to enjoy exclusive tastings, live culinary demonstrations, and sensory experiences that will invite them to taste, smell, and feel Dominican chocolate in all its forms. “Within the framework of our first year of operations, we are honored to offer Santiago the premiere of hosting the Dominican Chocolate Festival, an activity that exalts an emblematic product of the Cibao and a symbol of a region that leads the world in the production of organic cocoa. Being part of this celebration allows us to support more entrepreneurs —one of the pillars of our corporate responsibility— and provide our visitors with a unique experience where flavor, culture, and tradition converge,” added Rocío Sánchez, Marketing Director of Ágora Santiago Center. In this fifth edition, the festival also celebrates an important milestone for the industry: the creation of the first Dominican Chocolate Association (ADOCHOCO), an initiative that will strengthen the national chocolate sector and promote the transformation of local cocoa into origin bars and high-quality derived products. This alliance is the result of the joint effort of producers, artisans, and allies who, directly or indirectly, drive the economic and social development linked to cocoa.Cocoa is one of the agro-industrial pillars of the Dominican Republic. In the 2024 cocoa year alone, the value chain contributed US$399.5 million in foreign exchange, an 80% increase compared to 2023, positioning itself as the main agri-food product generating income for the country. With more than 40,000 producers and around 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, Dominican cocoa leads organic cocoa exports, representing 60% of the exported volume and is globally recognized for its fine and aroma quality, with international awards that endorse its unique characteristics.
