Overview:
AYITIKA, the Les Caye-based chocolate manufacturing and processing firm, will characterize Haiti on the Salon Du Chocolat truthful in New York Metropolis from March 21 to 23 on the Jacob Javits Heart. The occasion, that includes over 70 exhibitors from 16 international locations, supplies the Haitian firm with a chance to showcase Haiti’s premium cocoa and increase its presence within the North American market.
New York Metropolis — Haiti’s wealthy cocoa heritage will likely be on show on the New York “Salon Du Chocolat 2025” this weekend, March 21-23, as AYITIKA, a number one Haitian chocolate firm, joins greater than 70 exhibitors on the Jacob Javits Heart.
The Salon Du Chocolat, a world occasion established in Paris in 1994, is the biggest worldwide commerce present devoted to the chocolate and cocoa business. Every year, the occasion showcases chocolatiers, artisans, pastry cooks, consultants, and companies from all over the world. It options chocolate tastings, stay demonstrations, and discussions on sustainability within the cocoa business.
The 2025 version in New York Metropolis will function greater than 70 chocolate exhibitors from 16 international locations. It’s anticipated to convey collectively over 14,000 guests, celebrating their ardour for scrumptious chocolate.
“This occasion is a incredible alternative for AYITIKA to introduce the world to Haiti’s distinctive cocoa flavors and increase our enterprise attain in North America,” Jean Chesnel Jean, CEO of AYITIKA and a longtime knowledgeable in Haiti’s cocoa worth chain, instructed The Haitian Instances.
For AYITIKA’s CEO, the corporate’s participation in worldwide festivals aligns with its broader mission of bringing Haitian cocoa to the worldwide stage.
Haiti’s cocoa business, which generated $10.84 million in exports in 2020, is without doubt one of the nation’s prime agricultural sectors after important oils and mangoes, in keeping with United Nations information. Nevertheless, the nation’s deteriorating socio-political state of affairs has affected all financial sectors, undermining guarantees of modernization and revitalization of agriculture.
In 2023, data from the Financial institution of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) confirmed a drastic drop in exports. Among the many major merchandise exported by the nation, cocoa export revenues decreased from the double figures in 2020 to $2.41 million in 2023.
AYITIKA has gained recognition for its plantation-to-bar strategy, guaranteeing that Haitian farmers profit from truthful commerce whereas sustaining the very best high quality requirements.
AYITIKA’s chocolate line contains:
- Plain darkish chocolate
- Darkish chocolate infused with tropical flavors like cinnamon, orange, ginger, and occasional, sourced from Haitian farms
- Handcrafted cocoa merchandise reflecting Haiti’s terroir
That is the second worldwide award obtained by AYITIKA lower than two years after beginning its chocolate manufacturing unit.
From Haiti to the world: AYITIKA’s international journey
Since its founding in 2022, the corporate has quickly positioned itself as a premier Haitian chocolate model. Based mostly in Haiti’s southern division, about 130 miles from Port-au-Prince, the corporate companions with over 2,500 rural cocoa-producing households to develop sustainable farming practices and promote high-quality Haitian cocoa.
AYITIKA’s status has grown by means of its presence at main chocolate festivals, together with:
- Salon Du Chocolat (Paris, France)
- Northwest Chocolate Competition (Seattle, USA)
- Chocoa Competition (Netherlands)
- Salon Du Chocolat Montréal (Canada), November 2024
The model has already earned three worldwide awards, together with two Silver Medals and a Gourmand Award in Paris and Amsterdam.
Constructing Haiti’s chocolate status
Past selling its personal merchandise, AYITIKA sees worldwide commerce festivals as a platform to alter the narrative about Haiti.
“This truthful is not only about promoting chocolate,” Jean mentioned. “It’s about showcasing Haiti’s potential, its wealthy flavors, and its individuals’s craftsmanship. Regardless of the challenges our nation faces, we proceed to create merchandise that meet the very best international requirements.”
Jean emphasised that these commerce festivals strengthen AYITIKA’s push into North American and European markets, fostering partnerships for innovation.
The Les Cayes-based firm’s participation additionally highlights Haiti’s evolving agribusiness sector, which has seen elevated investments in natural and fair-trade manufacturing regardless of financial and political turmoil.
A name to the Haitian diaspora
Jean is encouraging the Haitian group in New York and past to attend the truthful and assist AYITIKA’s efforts.
“We invite everybody to return and rediscover the highly effective aromas of Haitian cocoa and admire the skills of our chocolatiers,” he mentioned.
For Ayitika, this occasion represents a step towards solidifying Haiti’s place within the international chocolate market—one bar at a time.