DAVAO CITY – The City of Davao, the biggest cacao producer and the home of award-winning artisan dark chocolate brands in the country, has been officially declared as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines.
Mayor Sara Duterte said the city attributed much of its success in cacao production to the farmers, who produced 2,289 metric tons (MT) or at least 34.15-percent of the total 6,703 MT of dried cacao beans last year, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and other cacao industry players.
Davao del Norte came second highest with 1,372 MT, followed by Davao del Sur with 1,163 MT, Davao de Oro with 572.57 MT, and Davao Oriental with 561.57 MT, according to PSA.
The region’s combined cacao production comprised 78.96 percent of the country’s total production of 8,488.60 last year.
Aside from this recognition, Duterte added that the city was also recognized as the regional winner of the Organic Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Secretary William Dar was here to present the recognitions to the city government of Davao.
“We are thrilled to be recognized in this year's regional organic agriculture contest. I’d like to thank industry players and the agricultural industry,” Duterte said.
Duterte said the recognition was an “affirmation and celebration of the efforts of the cacao farmers and processors, and everyone in the cacao industry.”
“For the past few years now, Davao cacao has been recognized as among the world’s best, with our local brands making waves in international chocolate competitions, and a growing number of Filipino and foreign chocolate makers sourcing their beans here,” she said.
The city has produced a number of artisan chocolate makers, many of whom like Malagos Chocolates, MS3 Agri-Ventures, Auro Chocolates, won international awards.