Conacado | Valrhona

The Dominican Republic

Joba Arriba, Espaillat
19°33’52.2”N
70°16’6.8”W

Growing cocoa in the Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, cocoa production is steeped in a rich history dating back to the Tainos, the island's first inhabitants. The cocoa varieties grown in the region are carefully monitored to prevent productive clones from taking over, thus preserving the distinctive and unique strain of Dominican cocoa, an ancestral heritage.

To support this age-old tradition, we work closely with local cooperatives, offering essential support to small producers. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen and empower rural communities, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that preserve land for future generations through agroforestry.

Cocoa from the Dominican Republic embodies the fusion of tradition and innovation. By supporting small-scale farmers organized into cooperatives, we are helping to shape a future in which cocoa continues to play a central role in the economic and cultural fabric of the northern Dominican Republic.

Founded in 1985, CONACADO (Confederación nacional de cacaocultores dominicanos) is today one of the biggest cocoa producers' organizations in the country.

A committed cooperative

By building a factory for processing cocoa into various derivatives (powder, butter and mix), the cooperative is working to create a modern, internationally renowned cocoa supply while improving producers’ living conditions. It does this by focusing on producing high - quality cocoa and on sustainable farm management, coupled with support for community development and environmental protection.
CONACADO’s numerous certifications - including Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Fairtrade and Organic (USDA and EU) – are a testament to this commitment. The cooperative’s vision, history and respected position in the Dominican Republic make it a partner of choice for Valrhona.

6Years Partnership

Partnership signature : 2016. Renewed in 2023 for 6 years

Cooperative Type of organization

386 Farmers

Valrhona perimeter

Our social and environmental actions together

Since 2018 - Agroforestry

Cacao Forest is a pioneering applied R&D project bringing together farmers, companies, researchers, consumers and NGOs to create innovative agricultural models that will improve cocoa quality, increase the productivity of cocoa trees and improve producers' quality of life while protecting the environment.

The very positive results (a postgraduate course in agroforestry created in Santo Domingo, pilot agroforestry models validated, recipes written based on agricultural products from agroforestry models), have encouraged a replication of the project to be launched in Ivory Coast.

Learn more about this project

2023 - Plot mapping

Funded by Valrhona, the project to map the plots of 386 producers was completed in 2023. It enabled us to prove that cocoa is produced outside protected areas and has not contributed to deforestation.

Discover our traceability approach

The impact

36 experimental plots

created with 23 producers in the regions of Duarte, San Cristobal and Espaillat

4 innovative models

agroforestry

Find CONACADO cocoa in

Single Origin Dominican Republic

Taïnori 64%

Taïnori, Single Origin* Dominican Republic, this Valrhona Grand Cru offers balanced dark chocolate with yellow fruit notes, made from *cocoa beans from Duarte province.

Single Origin Dominican Republic

Bahibé 46%

Bahibé 46%, Single Origin* Dominican Republic, a Valrhona milk chocolate Grand Cru with a cocoa-rich taste and cereal and ripe fruit notes, made from *cocoa beans from Duarte province.

Organic

Oriado 60%

Soft & Balanced

Tasting Bars

BAHIBÉ 46%

Bahibé 46%, Single Origin* Dominican Republic, a Valrhona milk chocolate Grand Cru with a cocoa-rich taste and cereal and ripe fruit notes, made from *cocoa beans from Duarte province.