“Hopefully, more [buyers] would be able to try it, and they will realize that they are very good fine-flavor beans. Hopefully, they will order in bigger volumes,” he said.
Puentespina added the company had previously shipped to the United States market but it halted due to insufficient production because there were few cacao growers then, whose outputs were sufficient only to cater to the strong local demand.
He said they are trying to convince more farmers to grow cacao trees to ramp up production despite the reluctance of some farmers in taking on the challenge since other cash crops like banana could also offer them the livelihood.
“It’s the choice of the farmer. Banana is doing very well also. So there is a lot of convincing to do. The government has so many programs for the farmers, but they can’t just go into it because they are hesitant to commit. If they commit, that will be your crops for the next 25 years,” he said.[]
Puentespina admitted venturing into cacao growing is major decision that has to be made by the farmers, but he remains hopeful that more growers would be encouraged to give it a shot.
He said Malagos Chocolate has partnered with around 100 farmers in the city.
Malagos Chocolate has bagged various international recognitions and awards for its fine-flavor chocolates.[]
