Bayacao surpasses 2,000 metric tons of cocoa purchases in the 2025/2026 crop year.

After months of complete transformation, Bayacao proudly announces the commissioning of our first mechanized cocoa drier at our newly renovated factory. This milestone marks a significant leap forward in our production capacity and, more importantly, in the quality and consistency of our cocoa.

The new drier not only boosts our throughput but dramatically elevates product standards. By enabling large-capacity blending and creating uniform lots, we ensure every batch meets the exacting specifications of our customers. The mechanized process continuously ventilates the beans with controlled hot air, effectively reducing the risk of rot and mould by destroying any spores before they can develop.

The result is a product that is exceptionally clean, consistent, and uniform—meeting and often exceeding the high expectations of chocolatiers and manufacturers who depend on us. This advancement allows Bayacao to combine the rich heritage of Dominican cocoa with cutting-edge processing, ensuring that our beans continue to stand out on the world stage for both flavor and reliability.

With this step, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation, quality, and the success of our partners in the cocoa value chain.

After an effort that began in the very first month following the acquisition of our processing center, we have reached a significant milestone. With the creation of our first associated grower association, CAMPUF, we embarked on the ambitious journey of certifying both our purchasing center and our partner farmers.

Hand in hand, we moved forward, worked diligently, made adjustments, and met all the requirements to successfully pass the necessary audits. Today, we are proud to announce that our supply chain, from plantation to cacao bag, is now officially certified Rainforest Alliance People & Nature, USDA Organic, and EU Organic.

This achievement reflects our strong commitment to sustainable and ethical agriculture. We will continue our efforts to obtain the necessary certifications for our clients, helping to open the Dominican market to international trade and its responsible consumers.

BAYACAO begins the transformation of its recently acquired site within the newly created AgroProcess Monte Plata Industrial Park into a fully mechanized cocoa processing facility.

This state-of-the-art modernization represents a major step in the company’s expansion, combining high-throughput mechanized production with traditional methods to ensure consistent, premium-quality cocoa. Alongside boosting production standards, the project is expected to generate a wave of new skilled positions and technical roles, providing meaningful employment opportunities and benefiting the local communities in Monte Plata. Through this initiative, BAYACAO reinforces its commitment to economic growth, sustainable development, and the long-term prosperity of the region.

Bayacao proudly announces its first successful sale of dry bean cocoa, marking a significant entry into the circle of esteemed cocoa producers in the Dominican Republic.

This achievement underscores Bayacao's dedication to excellence and sustainability in cocoa production. The successful sale is a testament to the meticulous efforts of our skilled team, highlighting our commitment to meeting the highest industry standards.

Bayacao's venture into dry bean cocoa not only solidifies our market presence but also opens new doors for growth and collaboration. We are poised to contribute significantly to the Dominican Republic's cocoa industry, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and innovation.

The search for BAYACAO’s next great leap took our team deep into the landscapes of Monte Plata province, where rolling fields of cocoa whispered of untapped potential. After months of quiet scouting, careful evaluation, and discreet negotiations, an opportunity emerged—a site in the very heart of the cocoa-growing region that seemed to hold all the right ingredients for our vision.

In June 2023, after a series of intense meetings and delicate arrangements, we secured the land—an achievement that marked the turning point in our journey. But this was not the end; rather, it was the spark that lit a much larger fuse. That same year, we launched a small but carefully planned market trial to test the waters, gauge demand, and understand the potential of our future operations.

The trial was a success, confirming that the path ahead was worth pursuing. As 2024 unfolded, the momentum built: the acquisition matured into full ownership, a new corporate structure was put in place, and the blueprint for a modernized, high-capacity facility began to take shape. What started as a single decisive move in June 2023 had evolved into a multi-year transformation—one that promises to reshape BAYACAO’s role in Dominican cocoa for decades to come.

As we start the planting season for our cocoa trees on this second day of May in 2023, we're excited for what the future holds for our company. This is a critical time for us, as we're laying the foundation for our success in the years to come.

To kick off this season, we wanted to do something special with the team and especially the Admin, HR, Finance collaborators who do not have the occasion to experience the core business of our company.

So, we all got together early in the morning and planted a few cocoa trees!!!!

We're all excited to see these trees grow and flourish, and we know that they represent a sustainable future for our company. These trees are not just about providing us with delicious Bayacao cocoa beans, but they're also a symbol of our commitment to sustainability, community, and growth. We're passionate about building a better, more sustainable future for our company and our community, and we know that these trees are a step in the right direction. 

We are pleased to announce a significant administrative office relocation for Bayacao. Our administration office has been moved from Santo Domingo to the vibrant city of Las Terrenas. This strategic decision was made to enhance the efficiency and convenience of supervising and managing our remarkable cocoa farm.

The new office location in Las Terrenas not only offers a more centralized position but also provides an upgraded working environment for our dedicated team members. Collaborators can now enjoy modern facilities and amenities that promote productivity and well-being. Additionally, this move improves the living conditions for all employees who have relocated to Las Terrenas, offering a more pleasant and fulfilling lifestyle.

With this transition, we have officially closed our Santo Domingo office as of April 2023. We express our sincere gratitude to all the staff members who worked diligently at our previous location and contributed to the success of Bayacao. We are confident that this office relocation will further strengthen our operations and enable us to better serve all our stakeholders.

BAYACAO has long envisioned becoming one of the leading private operators in Monte Plata province, contributing to local economic development through the creation of sustainable, long-term direct and indirect employment. At full capacity, the project is designed to provide up to 320 direct jobs, with a commitment to maintaining an inclusive working environment for both men and women, alongside fair salaries and conditions.

Between 2018 and 2022, the project encountered notable challenges. Prolonged drought, soil nutrition issues, and operational setbacks slowed progress. By the end of the 2022 planting season, less than 50 hectares of cocoa had been established, with plantings scattered across small areas and limited supporting infrastructure in place.

Following the withdrawal of Forliance from the project, the owners of SH CacaoCo Partners LP appointed a new management team in late 2022 to chart a fresh course. Leadership was entrusted to Dr. Luc Bonneau, bringing over two decades of experience in managing large-scale agricultural operations in banana, rubber, and oil palm sectors. He was joined by CFO Sr. Luis Nuñes and, in November 2022, a specialized team from Ecuador, including an agronomist, an irrigation specialist, and an environmental scientist.

This marked the beginning of a new roadmap and a complete reset of the strategy—laying the groundwork for renewed growth, stronger community engagement, and the long-term success of BAYACAO’s vision for Monte Plata.

BAYACAO had two key objectives: developing an expansive estate spanning 885 hectares, including 612 hectares of afforested areas and 146 hectares of agroforestry under existing canopies, and establishing a state-of-the-art post-harvest unit capable of processing 50 metric tons of fresh cocoa daily.

In 2017, the visionary project BAYACAO was launched under the Forest Finest Consulting, later renamed Forliance, with a mission to revolutionize cocoa production while prioritizing environmental preservation. The project aimed to transform abandoned pasturelands into a sustainable cocoa plantation through innovative practices and improved crop management protocols.