Our Origins
Guatemala
CACAO CIVILIZATION
Guatemala, home to the indigenous Mayan, is at the very heart of the ancient story that is the ‘cacao civilization’, through tradition cacao has been grown and consumed for centuries.
The ancient Mayan’s cultivated their royal cacao orchards along the “Boca Costa” section of the country. With 32 volcanoes, the biodiversity in the country includes rich fertile soils that is extraordinary for growing premium cacao.
OUR SUPPLIERS
Cacao is primarily grown in four regions, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Rio Dulce and the Boca Costa. Agrovia Cacao suppliers are located in Alta Verapaz, Rio Dulce and the Boca Costa.
The largest cacao growers group that we work with is located in Alta Verapaz, comprised of 19 associations and governed by a central mature cooperative. Farms range in size between 1-2 hectares, using 30-80% shade as Many farms include old growth trees or root stocks including varietals and cultivars such as Trinitario and Criollo.
Rehabilitation includes replacing non-productive trees whilst protecting ancient rootstock from which selected cultivars are grafted. The trees’ main harvest period is between June and August with a secondary harvest between November and January. The nearest cities to farm gates are Laquin and Cahabon. We also partner with large private estates, managed professionally from genetic breeding to management. Ranging in size from 25 hectares to thousands of hectares, they offer unique dimensions of biodiversity, such as hardwood; Honduran mahogany, rosewood that lets shade drive in vertical light.
Dominican Republic
KNOW HOW
Although the Dominican Republic is the world’s leading producer of organic cacao, the procurement process is inherently complex. To access their undoubted premium quality cacao requires an extensive knowledge of the, ‘the lay of the land.’ Our suppliers are made up of 182 smallholder grower associations, with central collection centers located throughout the country at Espaillat, San Francisco, San Cristobal, Monte Plata and Monte Mayor.
Each supplier is tested to ensure that they meet our benchmark material management standards. This rigorous process ensures large customers a stable and reliable upstream supply of organic premium material for the manufacturing production lines of fast-moving consumer-product-goods (CPG).
OUR SUPPLIERS
Supplies have established organic practices the in the D.R. Supplier verification methods manage farm level systems to ensure cross-contamination is nonexistent. The results of the work that we have done on the ground collecting agronomic data from a large network of suppliers reinforces the D.R.’s reputation for producing high quality, organic product. Cacao farms in the D.R. average approximately 4 hectares in size.
Exposed to the strong Caribbean sun, typically, farms are under 30-50% shade canopy from native trees such as banana, citrus and avocado. Cacao varietals/ cultivars include Forastero and Trinitario. The main harvest period is between April and July, with a secondary harvest between October and January.
BASELINES
Evaluations of flavor and aroma qualities are examined through physical, chemical and organoleptic query ranges. Each of our pre-selected farms are unique, organic ecosystems. These variances in geography, topography, ecology, climate conditions and farm practices contribute to the final premium product.
Quality Management
We are committed to consistently providing high quality product and customer care levels and apply those same principles to our internal processes, data integrity and regulatory requirements. We track our work using key performance indicators (KPIs) for our staff. This culture of continuous improvement extends to all of our work streams such as our “Monday Morning Innovation Lab”, planning and systems auditing.
MATERIAL SAMPLING
Advocacy
WISTON VILCHEZ GONZALEZ
GERENTE
COOP. FLOR DE LA DALIA
EL TUMA-LA DALIA, MATAGALPA
Cooperativa
Dalia R.L
JORGE FORNO
ZELEDON
PRODUCTOR ORGÁNICO
COOP. EL GORRIÓN SAN SEBASTIÁN DE YALI, JINOTEGA
JORGE SALAZAR
Miembro del Comité de Vigilancia
de CLAC (Ecuador)
ABEL FERNÁNDEZ
Vicepresidente de la Red Cacao y
Miembro del Consejo Directivo CLAC