Belgian chocolates are some of the most highly cherished sweet treats in the world. And, similarly, Belizean organic cacao is among the most prized on the planet.
And now, the two might be coming together. In March of last year, we told you how the different Belgian brands were being encouraged incorporate Belizean Cacao to their blends.
The Belize Embassy in Brussels hosted a promotional event to increase interest in our high-quality cacao beans.
And, now, as a follow-up, a delegation from Belgium and the Netherlands is here in Belize as a part of the Belize Cacao Trade and Investment Mission. The delegation is here to learn more about the Belizean Cacao industry and hopefully come one step closer to investing in it. We found out more from the experts this afternoon.
Leija Melanie Gideon, General Manager - BELTRAIDE
"It is an investment and trade mission. The intention is to invest in the industry whether at the Agriculture level or at the agro-processing level for value-added products. Those same products would be trades and exported out of the country or the buyers to buy a bean or any product that they see from Belize."
"Belize Cacoa is known for its rich quality flavours like fruity and woody. This is in high demand for gourmet cacoa manufacturers in the US and Europe. The opportunity is to show them the buyers of the bean as well as all the products we have in Belize. From spa products to facial scrubs to soaps, to coffee, to cacoa liquor, to cacao tea, and of course a wide range of chocolates so the value-added product is immense here in the country."
"We have panellists inclusive of agriculture, BAHA, other relevant agencies present to answer all the question the delegation may have in regards to trading and exporting as well as if there is any investment information. It is an opportunity for them to gather as much information as they can so they can be as productive as possible on this mission here."
Erwin De Weerdt, President - EURACNE (CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL AMERICA)
"As you know Belgian chocolates are famous all over the world so we have been lucky to invite a party of those people to come and discuss to what extent they can make investments or workout cooperation with local growers and discuss the cacoa business and the quality of the cacoa."
The delegation will be visiting cacao producers during their time here. The mission was facilitated by BELTRAIDE in partnership with the Embassy of Belize in Brussels.
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