2019 Partner Report

OKO Caribe
Dominican Republic

Good Year For:

High Prices for Cacao Farmers 

Cacao prices fell globally, but demand for Dominican Republic beans stayed strong; OKO's network of smallholder farmers got paid far more than farmers in other countries.

Exceptional Quality Cacao

Adriano and Gualberto's cacao beans were perfectly fermented and dried this year. But then again, when are they not?

Family Picnics and Delicious Food

Taza Founder Alex Whitmore and Sales Director Chris Capaldi joined me in the Dominican Republic this year and enjoyed not one but two delicious homecooked lunches!

Tough Year For:

Margins for OKO Caribe

Local prices for cacao do not always reflect global prices; strong local demand translated into higher prices for cacao farmers but lower margins for OKO Caribe.

Predictable Weather

Global climate change has disrupted the once reliable seasonality of rain and sun and created more risk for cacao growers and processors in the Dominican Republic.

 

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*Price based on FOB terms and equal to the negotiated fixed price or to the negotiated premium plus the world market price on the day the contract is closed

**Price the individual farmer receives for their cacao prior to its further processing, packing and export. Taza's 2016 Transparency Report, "Let's Talk Price" provides an in-depth exploration of the topic

*** Wages are paid in local currency and are translated into USD, but are not adjusted for purchasing power or a country's cost of living. Where a range is given, wages vary based on type of work and skill and experience level. In all cases, our Partners pay employees at or above their country's minimum wage