Currently, there are new market opportunities for the crop in Europe and North America. Both markets are demanding high quality and large volumes of the cocoa beans produced in Dominica. In order to satisfy and sustain the market, farmers need to rehabilitate and increase the acreages of the cocoa plots.

DEXIA has been able to secure a commitment from JHB International to purchase for the next five (5) years, all the cocoa Dominica can produce. The market for the cocoa beans will be Europe where a variety of by-products will be prepared.

DEXIA envisages that it could ship one twenty (20) foot container load of cocoa every six (6) months. The Agency is quite encouraged by the support received from the buyer and the close working relationship that exists.

DEXIA's Initiative for Cocoa Processing

In order to facilitate the proper preparation of the beans for export, the Agency is exploring the commissioning of two (2) drying facilities for the bulk processing of the beans, the facilities will be located at Hillsborough and at Batalie, in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

DEXIA encourages central processing of the beans in order to maintain high quality. The logistics and mechanisms are being put in place to commence the purchasing of the crop during the last quarter of 2007.

Farmers are encouraged to rehabilitate their plots to increase the production and to ensure that high quality beans are obtained from the plots at all times.