A recent mission by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has spotlighted Saint Lucia’s role in the Eastern Caribbean’s speciality cocoa movement, revealing that even modest production can fuel a vibrant value-added market.
From August 6 to 26, 2025, FAO’s cocoa market analysis team, led by Cocoa Market Analysis Specialist Gustavo Ferro, visited Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assess the region’s cocoa sector and chart pathways for sustainable growth.
It found a region rich in flavour and entrepreneurial spirit, and keen to claim a place in premium international markets.
In Saint Lucia, smallholder farmers and local processors are already capturing more value through bean-to-bar chocolate, artisanal cocoa products, and cocoa-based tourism experiences.
According to Ferro, “Even a modest production base can sustain a vibrant market”, especially when paired with Saint Lucia’s strong tourism sector.
This synergy between agriculture and tourism positions Saint Lucia as a prime candidate for niche market development. Traditional cocoa tea, boutique chocolate tours, and locally crafted products are breathing new life into the sector and drawing interest from international buyers seeking authenticity and flavour.
Across the four islands, FAO’s mission uncovered key opportunities to boost competitiveness:
- Coordination and aggregation: Strengthening farmer networks and logistics could unlock economies of scale.
- Value-added innovation: Bean-to-bar initiatives and artisanal products are gaining traction.
- Agro-tourism potential: Cocoa’s cultural heritage offers rich storytelling and branding opportunities.
- Sustainability pathways: Biodiversity and agroforestry systems, especially in Dominica, support high-quality production.
Ferro praised Grenada’s distinctive fine-flavour cocoa and entrepreneurial farmers, and commended Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for its resilience in preserving cocoa traditions. Dominica’s biodiversity and cooperative energy also stood out, with local leaders expressing renewed momentum for market positioning.
The mission’s findings will inform a comprehensive roadmap for the Eastern Caribbean cocoa sector, with situational analyses for each country and strategies to strengthen positioning in fine-flavour markets.
These insights will be presented at the Subregional Dialogue on the Speciality Cocoa Sector, scheduled for November 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago.
FAO’s work is in keeping with the broader project “Strengthening the Foundations for a Speciality Cocoa Sector in the Caribbean”, which reflects a growing recognition that cocoa holds significant potential to strengthen local economies and improve rural livelihoods.
