The Dominican capital will once again be the epicenter of the country’s largest celebration of cocoa and chocolate: the 5th Dominican Chocolate Festival, which will take place from September 8 to 14, with activities in various parts of the country and will culminate with its traditional exhibition in the Central Atrium of Ágora Mall from September 12 to 14, the usual setting for this event that combines culture, flavor and tradition around one of the most representative products of the Dominican Republic. Cesar Rodriguez, executive director of the Dominican Environmental Consortium (CAD) detailed that “throughout the week, the public will be able to enjoy different sensory activities, and during the closing exhibition at Agora, get to know up close and taste a wide variety of chocolates and cocoa derivatives from more than 20 national brands, participating in sensory experiences, culinary demonstrations and exclusive tastings that celebrate the talent and creativity of the local chocolate industry.” “At Agora, we firmly believe in the value of creating sustainable spaces that strengthen the connection between our communities, promote culture, and elevate pride in being Dominican. For five years, the Chocolate Festival has established itself as a platform where tradition, innovation, and entrepreneurship combine, promoting our own and boosting the local economy. It also contributes to making visible the effort of producers, artisans, and families who, with love and commitment, cultivate one of the most valued treasures of the Dominican Republic in the world, which is cocoa,” said Rocio Sánchez, marketing director of the shopping center. The event will feature a formal opening ceremony on Friday, September 12, where representatives from the cocoa sector, government authorities, companies, and strategic allies will gather to highlight the importance of cocoa as an economic, social, and cultural engine of the country. In this fifth edition, the festival also celebrates the creation of the first Dominican Chocolate Shops Association (ADOCHOCO), an initiative that seeks to strengthen the national chocolate sector and promote the transformation of cocoa into origin and high-quality products. This alliance reflects the joint work of producers, artisans, and allies who contribute to generating a positive impact on the economy and thousands of Dominican families. Cocoa is an agro-industrial pillar of the Dominican Republic. In the 2024 cocoa year alone, the value chain contributed US$399.5 million in foreign currency, an 80% increase compared to 2023, with more than 40,000 producers and around 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. The country leads organic cocoa exports —which represent 60% of the exported volume— and is globally recognized for its fine or aroma cocoa, awarded among the best in the world for its unique characteristics. The Festival’s organizing committee is made up of the Dominican Environmental Consortium (CAD), the Cacao Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes (MICM), in partnership with Ágora Mall, Mediáticos Consultores en Comunicación, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the National Cocoa Commission, Cortés Hermanos, the Dominican Chefs Association (ADOCHEFS), the Dominican Culinary Institute, the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD), Banco Popular Dominicano and Rey Publicidad.
About the Dominican Chocolate Festival:
