From July 14th to the 16th the country’s leading chocolate trade fair will be held in downtown San Jose at the former customs building, also known as the “Antigua Aduana”.
The ticket will cost 2000 colones for adults (close to $4), and children entrance is free, to be guaranteed a spot at the popular event, tickets can be purchased beforehand starting this week at multiple locations.
At the 3-day weekend event, distributors and producers of cocoa and chocolate will show their latest products, provide samples, and explain their products to all; cocoa producers made up of both professional buyers and chocolate lovers and their culture. It is an exhibition with tastings for the audience.
Tickets are available at Sibu Chocolates, Britt café, Espeleta, Zocolotique chocolate factory in Sabana North, and Nahua.
Costa Rica’s cocoa is one of the most important export agricultural products with coffee and banana, with a significant impact on the economy, culture and national identity. Its production represents 5% of the international export market, something special since only 10% of global suppliers can qualify as gourmet.
Although one of the finest cocoa in the world is produced here, Costa Rica lacks the technology to process large-scale grain in the first part of the production chain. Therefore, most of the little cocoa produced in the country is exported. Also, although in Costa Rica there 690 tons of dry grain being produced, the amount is not enough to satisfy the national demand. In fact, the country cocoa imports are almost double.
The producers and traders of cacao of Costa Rica offer a product of greater quality to stay in the national and international market. Therefore the chocolate fair is part of a national effort to promote chocolate production in Costa Rica, as well as knowledge about it, and the increase of business around it.