The cocoa subsector in the Dominican Republic is experiencing the best moment in its history in terms of profitability and foreign currency generation for the Dominican economy.
As of July 2025, only this subsector has generated US$492 million, with July being the best month, with US$123.342 million exported, as it is a harvest month.
The growth of this subsector is felt in the 21 provinces and 57 cocoa-producing municipalities.
In the 2024 cocoa year alone, the value chain contributed US$399.5 million in foreign exchange, an 80% increase compared to 2023, with more than 40,000 producers and around 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.
In 2025, the subsector is estimated to generate 350,000 jobs, with 42,151 producers or producer families, of which 82% are men and 18% are women producers.
The country leads organic cocoa exports —which represent 60% of the exported volume— and is globally recognized for its fine or aromatic cocoa, awarded among the best in the world for its unique characteristics.
Cocoa as a whole represents 12% of the exports of the agricultural sector.
Another important fact is that 85% of cocoa entrepreneurs are small producers, with less than 3 hectares per producer, which speaks to the plurality of the sector.
At the close of May, the price of cocoa was quoted at US$9,791 per metric ton ™, registering an increase of 9.1% compared to the beginning of the month, when it was quoted at US$8,973 per metric ton.
According to data from the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development in the “Monthly Commodities Report: Summary of Trends and Analysis of the International Market”.
The price of cocoa showed some volatility in its price, presenting a minimum of US$ 8,758 per metric ton on May 5th and reaching a maximum of US$ 10,974 per metric ton on the 19th of the aforementioned month.
It is currently trading at US$7,360 per metric ton.
Starting this September 12th, the country’s biggest celebration of cocoa and chocolate will take place: the 5th Dominican Chocolate Festival, which will be held from September 8th to 14th, with activities in various parts of the country and will culminate with its traditional exhibition in the Central Atrium of Ágora Mall from September 12th to 14th, the usual setting for this event that combines culture, flavor and tradition around one of the most representative products of the Dominican Republic.
