March 3rd, 2015- EXPORTBelize, BELTRAIDE in collaboration the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is hosting a “Cacao Validation Workshop” which will be held on Friday March 6th, 2015 at the Parish Hall in Punta Gorda Town, commencing at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the validation workshop is to validate two draft reports that was submitted by two Consultants for the consultancies of the:
(1) Value Chain Analysis & Industry Strategy for Belizean Cacao
(2) Development of Specification and Proposal for a Management System for Toledo Cocoa as a Geographical Indication
Points on Consultancy 1 - Purpose of this consultancy is to map the entire value chain for Cacao in order for Belize to develop higher value finished products for the export market (chocolates, tea, syrups, soaps, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, liqueur etc.), to expand into other related services (farm tours and other tourism and agro-tourism related activities) and to increased opportunities/markets for selling cacao beans at premium prices.. The Industry strategy will look at implementation of programs and activities to:
• Increase productivity of raw beans
• Increase productivity of value added products and services
• Improve the enabling environment
• Effectively market the industry and products internationally (niche markets) to name a few…
Points for Consultancy 2 - Purpose of this is to draft a specification for Belizean cacao using GI so that it is differentiated from cacao from other countries and includes developing the management system for the specification and a business plan to plot exactly what will be done to operationalize the specification. Organic and the Mayan story are two aspects that we can include as selling point. This will be complemented by other agronomic, genetic and aspects related to the natural environment (soil, temperature etc.)
For more information, please feel free to contact us:
Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE)
14 Orchid Garden St., City of Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
Telephone: 501-822-3737