October 2020

The beginning

Hello readers, this newsletter is intended to give you monthly updates about Agrofloresta: cacao production, promos, new products or any other fun thing to share.

Let’s start with…

Agrofloresta Mesoamericana operates in an isolated and hilly zone on the border of Tabasco and Chiapas in Mexico. The project works with over 200 farms in 11 communities, 3 of which are indigenous and speak three different local Mayan languages. Land ownership is a mix of private and communal lands. Some villages with communal land ownership can be guardians of more than 1000 hectares of hillside rainforest in addition to their cultivated areas. As our leading value chain, cacao represents one of the largest cash crops for producers in the area. The agroforestry systems where cacao is grown in an important reservoir of non-timber forest products for local communities providing many products rich diverse local diets. As the star of local agroforestry systems, cacao has suffered from lack of incentives to ensure continuity. Due to disease pressure they are unprepared to manage and due to the low and unstable price incentives, farmers in the area have been cutting their old trees and converting diverse agroforestry systems into pasture lands for cattle grazing.

Thankfully, this situation is slowly changing… cacao is taking its second wind again, being considered as “superfood” and with the growing market of artisanal and high specialty chocolates. These markets are much more social-responsible about growing and sustainable conditions and are helping to improve prices for farmers.

Where are we…?

We are in two places at the same time: We are in Mexico with the farmers and also close to you in Laredo TX.

ARE YOU WONDERING ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS…?

Our main product is Organic cacao beans and nibs. We offer a carefully selected blend of Trinitario beans, which are fermented in separated batches according to the community of origin due to the different characteristics of the beans (size, acidity, etc…). Afterwards they are mixed to get a perfect blend.

We also have white almond cacao bean under especial request. We will announce the time of the year to make your request.

We are also working with other products related to the Agroforestry system: vanilla beans (Planifolia and Pompona variety), allspice pepper, coffee, honey and others. Some products are only available on order at the moment. If you are interested in a specific product please, email us!