Sésar Rodríguez, Executive Director of the Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano (CAD), noted that the festival will be “a tribute to the work, passion, and history behind cacao,” as well as an invitation for the entire Northern Region to participate in a unique multisensory experience that demonstrates why Dominican chocolate continues to win over palates around the world.
Rocío Sánchez, Marketing Director of the Ágora Santiago Center, emphasized that this is the first year of operations for the center and that hosting the festival is an honor. She also highlighted that this celebration provides a platform for regional entrepreneurs while offering the public an experience that intertwines flavor, culture, and tradition.
This year, the festival also marks a historic milestone with the founding of the Dominican Association of Chocolatiers (ADOCHOCO). The new organization aims to strengthen the national chocolate industry by promoting high-quality cacao-based products and supporting producers and artisans in consolidating a sustainable and competitive sector.
Cacao holds a central place in the Dominican agro-industry: during the 2024 cacao harvest year, it generated US$399.5 million in foreign exchange, representing a remarkable 80% increase compared to the previous year. This value chain includes more than 40,000 producers, providing employment to approximately 300,000 people through direct and indirect jobs. In addition, the Dominican Republic leads global exports of organic cacao, accounting for 60% of exported volume, and is internationally recognized for its exceptional quality, aroma, and award-winning status.
Behind the organization of this festival is a broad and committed committee made up of key entities such as the Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano (CAD), the Cacao Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM); together with the Ágora Santiago Center, Mediáticos Communication Consultants, the International Trade Center (ITC), the National Cocoa Commission, Cortés Hermanos, the Dominican Association of Chefs (ADOCHEFS), the Dominican Culinary Institute, the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD), and the Banco Popular Dominicano. This multisectoral alliance reflects the commitment of diverse actors to promote cacao culture and highlight its social and economic impact in the country.
More than a festival, “Santiago Dresses in Cacao” stands as an essential platform to raise awareness among Dominican consumers about local chocolate production and the importance of cacao as a driver of development. This initiative strengthens the sector, supports entrepreneurs, and consolidates chocolate culture as a point of connection between the ancestral past and the innovative present of the Dominican Republic.
With this backdrop, Santiago de los Caballeros is poised to become the heart of an experience that blends tradition, flavor, community, and sustainable development. Without a doubt, this festival will awaken regional and national pride while delighting the senses and celebrating one of the sweetest treasures of the country: Dominican cacao.
