Chocolat de la Dominique, a Dominica-produced premium dark line of chocolate, containing 70 percent cocoa, has been officially launched on the island.
The chocolate is being manufactured in collaboration with the Maryland-based company, SpagnVola Chocolatier.
US-based attorney, Gabriel Christian who introduced Chocolat de la Dominique in 2008, stated that the production of the chocolate is only the beginning.
At a press conference on Thursday, he said that he intends to open a manufacturing plant in Dominica to add variety to production.
“Today, we conclude phase one — which was the harvesting, the fermentation, the production of the bar,” Christian said. “Phase two would be to secure the resources to do a plant here, on Dominica, where we can at least go to bricks—that is, the bricks that are transformed into high-end truffles and chocolate products…”
The chocolate is available in Maryland and Washington and well as in Europe and plans are being explored for a market in Dominica. It can be purchased online at www.spagnvola.com for US$10.
Christian also expressed his hope that a thriving cocoa industry be established on Dominica, which will benefit local farmers.
“A vertically integrated industry owned in part by our farmers, so even when we export the bean, it’s our factory, it’s our process, it’s our company,” he remarked. “So, we can return and repatriate the funds to the farmers in the countryside, and folks in urban areas who provided the means.”
But General Manager of the Dominica Export and Import Agency (DEXIA), Gregoire Thomas, revealed that it would be challenging to sustain a cocoa industry in Dominica.
“I cannot even tell you today that we have the capacity that we can do 66,000 pounds of wet beans, converted at let’s say 20,000 pounds of dried beans,” he said. “So, that’s the challenge that we’ve had, in terms of being consistent with the volumes that we are looking for to be able to sustain the industry.”
Although the product was primarily intended for the international market, Thomas highlighted the marketing opportunities present on the island.
“There is an issue about the positioning of the product because of the type of product that we have—the branded product—I think it makes sense to position it to the higher end,” he commented. “But, I am saying, even in Dominica, we are part of the higher end because we have outlets that we can use to distribute that product also.”
In 2008, a line of milk chocolate from Chocolat de la Dominique, was piloted at the Roseau market and was deemed a success.
Thomas noted that the need to broaden the range of exportable products in Dominica. In the National Export Strategy, cocoa was listed as one of the crops to be exported.
The Caribbean Agricultural Network (CAN) is a key partner in the initiative.
This guy is just trying to create a monopoly and generate max profit via the US. Selling the experience of being “exotic”. The real question is, how clean will the manufacturing be? How sustainable? Who stands to gain the most? What is the timeline on availability for these “abundant jobs”?
In 2008, a line of milk chocolate from Chocolat de la Dominique, was piloted at the Roseau market and was deemed a success.
So, what happened to that chocolate that was “deemed a succes” ?
Everything getting worst in Dominica, so is not chocolate we can buy
Gabu always had the gift of the gab. I must give him that.
70% cocoa in a chocolate bar is expensive irrespective of the brand. Go to amazon and search for 70% cocoa chocolate and look at the prices. Tired complain!!
True but that also means that most people in Dominica can not afford it, can not afford to buy their “own” chocolate. Maybe the P.M. and the President can afford it, especially if they buy it on a government lpo for their guests and friends?
Exporting cocoa beans is one thing but creating skilled jobs is another. We will probably end up employing imported Haitians to do the field work or use NEP people, subsidized by the tax payer. WE NEED REAL JOBS FOR LOCALS!!!
I guess that the Haitians and NEP employees are not real people and the work that they do is not real work. That must be why the Haitians are taking over Dominica, just look at King Garments, the owner is now employing Dominicans. I guess what he started doing was not a real job. I think that the secret for him was to start where he was to reach where he is.
You people can continue to sit.and curse and complain. I guess that’s easier to do than to work! I really shudder to think what Dominica will be like in the next ten years or so.
Why are you so negative?
Is the P.M. made me so. More than 12 years in power and what to show for it?? When is he buying DCP and revitalize it? When will the first coffee be shipped from his coffee plant? When will his abattoir run full time? When will the Moroccan hotel receive its first guests? When can he abolish NEP an create real jobs? Who is negative????
I’m sure the chocolate taste great but I would have definitely spent a little more money in regards to the branding of the product.
Maybe purchase the rights to a piece of art from Arnold Toulon or Earl Ettienne?
Sorry, but the branding colours just aren’t doing it for me, especially that cartoon parrot.
Great initiative all the same and I hope it’s a successful venture.
This is great…keep it going…
That is what I am talking about. If Dominicans would start thinking like Gabriel and stop expecting government to do all, this beautiful island of yours would be better off. Good initiative Mr Christian.
Gabu, boy I admire your courage. One thing that has not been explained, it what makes our cocoa special to put it in the high end category?
My take on this is, Gabu is more trying to help our farmers than trying to maximize the chances of success and profit. Judging from what Gregoire Thomas said, I would be very hesitant to put a manufacturing plant in Dominica or anywhere else for that matter without a reliable and consistent source of raw material. Business-wise, this is pure madness.
Another thing, from a purely business standpoint, I am sure Gabu could set up in a country where the beans are cheaper than Dominica.
As I said, I tip my hat to him, because he could have done it much easier in Latin America or Ghana.
You have to be crazy but I wish you the best brother.
Mr. Christian
Hats off my brother! Like Sam Raphael, another genuine patriot who suppresses personal feelings in the interest of the bigger picture. Yes, I remember talk of this chocolate production from 2008 and I am happy to know that you did not give up on the project.
I hope for your sake that you don’t start getting death threats for trying to do something positive for Dominica. It is now left for us Dominicans, particularly idle ones who have access to lands to do something other than run our mouths negatively and start planting. This would have to be co-ordinated though because cocoa doesn’t take one year to reach bearing stage and those planting would have to get some guarantee that there would in fact be a processing plant built so that they can market the cocoa.
God’s blessings on you brother and on your project!
Wow, why are you trying to be generous sharing nonsense, fear, and ignorance, thank God it’s only an opinion very gloomy. There is something called branding, that’s what can make our cocoa special putting it in the high end category, it’s something the giant food manufacturing companies do making consumers pay a lot more money for a specific product. What an appalling statement made by General Manager of the Dominica Export and Import Agency (DEXIA), Gregoire Thomas, no wonder such agency is not functioning in it’s fullest capacity.
I hope Gabu vision will not be daunted by such comments, dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision, good luck Gabu in your en devour.
He start his oen buisness though, sit on allyou backside and expect others to feed your behind.
GET UP AND FIGHT FOR YOURSELVES.
10 USD? Is the candy wrapper made of gold?
That is E.C.$.27.00, or more than five hours labour at the min. wage of E.C.$.5.00/hr. .(..if one is lucky enough to have a job!). I think this is firmly targeted at gourmet customers with a big wallet because even the general public in the U.S.A. would not pay this. There is money to made in this niche market but not in Dominica if the finished product is not also produced here. Martinique has a local chocolate industry, why can’t we? At least I hope our farmers get paid a premium price for their cocoa beans!
For a high end chocolate product, that is actually a very reasonable mid market price. Go on Google and look up Giradelli, Godiva, and Lindt!
A comment like this shows ignorance, and does not come from a rational mind.
Lets buy our locally products so that it could create jobs.
We have to import it first, although they are our cocoa beans. You think Roosevelt Skerrit will give us duty-free on this chocolate, knowing it will put money into the Cristians’ pocket?
I like chocolates so now i’m gonna eat locally made chocolates good Folks lets buy our locally products to creste employments.
Dahman, read it. The chocolate is not made here. They say is our beans they using but who is checking that?
“At a press conference on Thursday, he said that he intends to open a manufacturing plant in Dominica to add variety to production.” Put de plant here, but pay de workers here the same as workers over-there. We are getting rid of cheap labor because everything in Dominica is expensive. No candle factory and cardboard factory salary. We want our working Dominican citizens to be able to afford a dinner at Fort Young Hotel with their family; and not have these places for tourists, outsiders and the like. Low salary in Dominica keeps the people in constant poverty. Workers at Astaphan’s used to take home $15.00/week.
Yeah, while you are at it, he will have to price the chocolate bars at $100 US to allow his workers to wine and dine at Fort Young. How about making sure his worker driver to work in their BMWs.
US$ 10.00 for one??? Keep your chocolate.
This choke-late is more expensive than my Viagra!!!!
Maybe it is more effective. Don’t forget, the ladies love dark chocolate too!
but you all will go buying toberone for how much money this is dark local chocolate its way healthier
Quite right, and it’s worth every cent!
So now we are like Ghana, no different, with the cocoa beans exported from here and all the value added elsewhere, having to pay U.S.$. to import the finished product I wonder if it would be subject to import duty! Gabriel tried that some years ago with his brother, and had the bars manufactured in Trinidad. That was not a success and ironically they cost more than a similar Cadbury bar imported from the U.K.
Though I welcome this initiative it does hurt me that we can not grow, manufacture and market the product from here as a premium product, like the Jamaicans do with their Blue Mountain coffee and so help put Dominica firmly on the map.
Hence Gabriel saying, “Phase two would be to secure the resources to do a plant here, on Dominica, where we can at least go to bricks—that is, the bricks that are transformed into high-end truffles and chocolate products…”
Better progress that happens in steps than no progress at all.
That would be a good start for us, the equipment and conditions required to product a finished, high end, chocolate product, would be very difficult to ship to and set up in Dominica. Plus the finished product would require advanced climate controlled storage and shipping that would not make it cost effective. Getting tot he Brick format would surely be doable in Dominica and bring revenue and jobs.
Mr. Foerster, forgive me if I am sceptical but my experiences in Dominica have affected me. Recent promises of a coffee plant and abattoir foremost, and it is not as if we do not have a history of failed manufacturing enterprises. A promise is just that, easy to make and at no cost. It reminds me of an old story of a politician, who got elected on a promise not to raise taxes. When confronted by a disillusioned voter he replied: “So what. I lied!” I think I shall wait for the bricks.
Fair enough, Dominican. I know the man, so I believe that what he says is what is his intention to do, but you’re right that many plans in the country have gone awry.
Moussad, the success of Elot in Martinique for instance illustrates that this is no obstacle. They have been producing fine, premium chocolate since 1911 and still going strong, even more so today after more than 100 years.
Oh it will, there is great potential. I heard of the Ghana story…Nothing comes easy as there’s always growning pains in business, just think positive and wish them well. This is a businessman willing to make a start, and indicated willingness to domesticate aspects the venture. I too love Cadbury but will support this one as ours. Good luck.
back to plantation days.
Another great venture by a Great Dominican. Let us all follow this man\’s lead.
Excellent initiative. I wish this venture every success. Its now time to cultivate some cocoa.