While the industry of Brazilian cocoa Face a bleak scenario after the imposition of a 50 % tariff by the United States, the Dominican Republic I could find a historical opportunity to strengthen its position as a key supplier of this “agricultural gold” in the international market.
From Sao Paulo, the National Association of Cocoa Processing Industries (AIPC) warned in a statement that, with the new tax burden, export to the US. UU. It turns “economically unfeasible“, compromising not only external sales in the sector, but the very operation of the processing plants Brazilians
The warning was released by the EFE agency Last Monday, August 4, a few hours after the entry into force of the commercial measure announced by Washington.
According to the National Association of Cocoa Processing Industries (AIPC), the US economy represents the second destination of the Brazilian cocoacapturing 18 % of their Exportsespecially in the form of cocoa butter. In 2024, the derivatives exported to the US added 72.7 million dollars, and only in the first semester of 2025 had already reached 64.8 million.
- It is estimated that losses They could exceed 36 million dollars if the fee It is maintained.
- The AIPC considered that with the new tariff scenario export It turns “economically unfeasible“, When less than two days are missing from the entry into force of the additional 50 % tariff apart from Brazilian imports.
Can RD benefit?
But where some see crisis, others can see opportunity. The Dominican Republicthat in recent years his cocoa as one of the most quoted in the world for its High quality And fine aroma, has an expansion structure and international recognition.
According to a report of Free newspaper Posted on June 24, 2025, the cocoa Dominican is quoted as “Agricultural Gold” in markets such as the United States, Germany, Belgium and France.
He cocoa Dominican is in a boom: more than 40,000 producers cultivate it and it is estimated that it generates 350,000 jobs, direct and indirect. In 2024, the Exports of cocoa and its derivatives reached 107.8 million dollars, with a strong upward trend.
In addition, the fruit Dominican has been awarded In international fairs such as the Du Chocolat Salon in Paris and the Specialty Coffee & Chocolate Expo in the United States.
The commercial situation that Brazil now faceswhose industry fears losing one of its main markets, opens space to other producing countries that can fill that void. Although the Brazilian production scale is considerably greater, American buyers – especially in the Chocolate industry fine and cosmetics – they could turn their attention to more competitive alternative origins.
“Free trade treaties signed by the Dominican Republiclike Dr-Cafta, provide tariff advantages than other countries, such as Brazilthey do not currently. This can be decisive in a reconfiguration of the market of cocoa and derived in the US. ” Free newspaper An analyst in the agricultural sector.
The situation could also be decisive to attract foreign investments in local processingwhich would raise the added value of the Exports Dominican. Currently, a significant part of cocoa Dominican is exported in grain, without transformation.
Bet on greater industrialization would allow to offer Manteca, liquor or dust of cocoa —Itly demanded products in the US Brazil.
