DTI to showcase chocolate products in ‘Kalakal Quezon’


“Tangerine” of the Four K Kakao Farm in the province of Quezon, an emerging powerhouse for cacao production in the country, will showcase its recently launched range of chocolate products through the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Kalakal Quezon”.

The fair, featuring cacao at SM City Lucena, Mall Atrium opened on May 25 until May 31.

Quezon’s 4th District Representative Angelina “Helen” Tan has spearheaded the development of cacao farming in Quezon Province, which was piloted in the nine towns in the 4th District of the province, namely: Atimonan, Plaridel, Lopez, Gumaca, Perez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, and Quezon.

Tan’s efforts paved the way for the inauguration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) of a cacao facility in Gumaca, Quezon on November 30, 2020 led by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and DA Region 4A Director Arnel de Mesa. Sec. Dar has lauded the ingenuity and hard work of cacao farmers who work tirelessly to ensure the success of the “Tangerine” brand.

“Tangerine” is dark chocolate made by cacao farmers in Quezon and members of the Kakao Integrated Development for Livelihood and Transformation or KIDLAT, an organization of marginalized farmers that Tan, who is already known in Quezon as the “Chocolate Queen of Luzon,” has organized.”

The Kalakal Quezon is an annual event organized by the DTI-Quezon to promote the products of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by showcasing the province’s products under the theme “Support Lokal, Shop at Kalakal”. This year’s event will feature the best cacao-based products to continually promote and strengthen the cacao industry in CALABARZON, especially in Quezon.