Project : Strengthen Agricultural Opportunities through Training and Technological Investment (P.R.O.F.I.T.) / Participation of a Haitian Delegation in the World Chocolate Fair

From October 29 to November 2, 2024, Haitian cocoa will be proudly represented at the 30th edition of the World Chocolate Fair, held in Paris at Porte de Versailles. With support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the PROFIT project funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, key cocoa stakeholders from southern Haiti—AYITIKA, KALEOS S.A., KAÛNA, RALPH LEROY, the Departmental Agricultural Directorate (DDAGA), and GEONOVA—will travel to showcase and sell cocoa products and derivatives, and to highlight the richness and opportunities tied to this crop.

These partners are joining forces and speaking with one voice to promote Haiti’s delicious cocoa, known for its unique flavors—from the raw cocoa bean to aromatic chocolate bars and exceptional cocoa butter. They will also share a message of resilience and hope from the producers who bravely invest in the sector despite the immense challenges facing Haitian agriculture. At the World Chocolate Fair, participants will demonstrate their expertise in cocoa cultivation and its transformation into derivative products. They will also present innovative elements introduced to revitalize the sector. Such efforts have enabled Haiti to earn fair trade certification multiple times, offering better guarantees of decent income for producers.

KALEOS, KAÛNA, and LEROY Chocolat will present, exhibit, and offer tastings of cocoa products—including chocolate bars, cocoa powder and butter, hot chocolate, and, in a world premiere, the gluten-free CHOUCOUNE biscuit made from breadfruit flour and cocoa—originating from Haiti’s rich and distinctive terroir, which, once processed, yields the most exotic and refined flavors. GEONOVA will also showcase the integrated technology now used in managing and structuring the sector, including a logistics intelligence system that enables georeferencing of plots and producers. This ensures transparency in the value chain, reliability in traceability systems, and access to real-time data. These data help analyze and assess the state of the value chain to inform sound decision-making. Moreover, this logistics intelligence platform supports compliance with the new European EUDR standard for traceability and anti-deforestation commitments. 

Coordination efforts with DDAGA, capacity building for agricultural service providers, the involvement and empowerment of women, and the work of producer cooperatives will also be highlighted to demonstrate resilience in a country often affected by crises and natural disasters.

For this 30th edition of the Fair, AYITIKA—already recognized with several international awards—will also share Haiti’s stand. With its “roots to bar” approach, AYITIKA aims to offer consumers chocolate bars that reflect the exquisite aromas of Haiti’s exceptional cocoa varieties and terroirs.

Haiti’s participation in the World Chocolate Fair underscores the country’s potential and the many opportunities it holds, particularly in agriculture. It inspires hope that actors with diverse skills and experiences can unite across all sectors of society to help establish practices that bring lasting change to people’s lives. 

Prospectus for Haiti’s Participation in the Fair: Key Players in a Cocoa of Singular and Refined Flavors

Contact :

Fabrice Leclercq

Chief Technical Advisor – ILO Haiti

Tel : +509 3694 6825

Email : leclercqf@ilo.org