DAVAO CITY — The rising demand for locally produced chocolate is creating a wave of opportunity for cacao farmers across Davao, strengthening both rural livelihoods and the city's celebrated food culture. Industry players are investing in programs that help growers improve productivity, product quality, and income. Davao City, the country's Chocolate Capital, produces the bulk of the Philippines' cacao supply and continues to attract new market opportunities for its farmers.
At the forefront of this farmer-centered approach is Cacao de Davao, a homegrown chocolate manufacturer that sources beans directly from local communities. Speaking at the Habi at Kape Business Forum on June 3, founder and CEO Ethan Kyle Lim said the company's success depends entirely on its farmer partners. The company purchases beans directly from farms in Calinan, helping growers capture more value from their harvests.
From Bean to Bar in the Chocolate Capital
The Davao Region contributes more than 70 percent of the country's cacao production, generating about 7,800 metric tons of dried beans annually across nearly 20,000 hectares of farmland. Republic Act No. 11547 formally recognized this dominance, declaring Davao City the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines. Lim said the model bypasses traders, allowing smallholder farmers to earn more.
Cacao de Davao does not stop at buying beans. The company helps its partner farms improve processing, quality control, and farm systems. "Beyond buying their beans, we want to help them grow their businesses," Lim said. This hands-on approach ensures that even farmers managing only a few hectares can access the technical support and reliable markets essential for sustained growth.
Putting Davao Chocolate on Every Menu
To boost visibility for locally sourced chocolate, the company has partnered with restaurants and cafés that feature Davao cacao in their menus. Recent collaborations include Muni Mixology and Kitchen, which introduced beverages made with locally produced chocolate, alongside partnerships with Lamano and Siempre. Additional tie‑ups, including one with Hey Monday Davao, are expected in the coming months.
Each partnership creates fresh demand for locally grown cacao while introducing more consumers to Davao‑made products. The strategy highlights how the city's vibrant food scene can directly support agricultural communities. The growing appeal of Davao chocolate is also attracting interest from local governments. The municipality of Jose Abad Santos is exploring a partnership with Cacao de Davao to develop cacao farms as a livelihood program.
