Overview:
AYITIKA, the Les Caye-based chocolate production and processing company, will represent Haiti at the Salon Du Chocolat fair in New York City from March 21 to 23 at the Jacob Javits Center. The event, featuring over 70 exhibitors from 16 countries, provides the Haitian company with an opportunity to showcase Haiti’s premium cocoa and expand its presence in the North American market.
New York City — Haiti’s rich cocoa heritage will be on display at the New York “Salon Du Chocolat 2025” this weekend, March 21-23, as AYITIKA, a leading Haitian chocolate company, joins more than 70 exhibitors at the Jacob Javits Center.
The Salon Du Chocolat, a global event established in Paris in 1994, is the largest international trade show dedicated to the chocolate and cocoa industry. Each year, the event showcases chocolatiers, artisans, pastry chefs, experts, and businesses from around the world. It features chocolate tastings, live demonstrations, and discussions on sustainability in the cocoa industry.
The 2025 edition in New York City will feature more than 70 chocolate exhibitors from 16 countries. It is expected to bring together over 14,000 visitors, celebrating their passion for delicious chocolate.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity for AYITIKA to introduce the world to Haiti’s exceptional cocoa flavors and expand our business reach in North America,” Jean Chesnel Jean, CEO of AYITIKA and a longtime expert in Haiti’s cocoa value chain, told The Haitian Times.
For AYITIKA’s CEO, the company’s participation in international fairs aligns with its broader mission of bringing Haitian cocoa to the global stage.
Haiti’s cocoa industry, which generated $10.84 million in exports in 2020, is one of the country’s top agricultural sectors after essential oils and mangoes, according to United Nations data. However, the country’s deteriorating socio-political situation has affected all economic sectors, undermining promises of modernization and revitalization of agriculture.
In 2023, data from the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) showed a drastic drop in exports. Among the primary products exported by the country, 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 approach, ensuring that Haitian farmers benefit from fair trade while maintaining the highest quality standards.
AYITIKA’s chocolate line includes:
Plain dark chocolate
Dark chocolate infused with tropical flavors like cinnamon, orange, ginger, and coffee, sourced from Haitian farms
Handcrafted cocoa products reflecting Haiti’s terroir
Haiti’s chocolate producing company wins medal distinction at Paris international contest
This is the second international award obtained by AYITIKA less than two years after starting its chocolate factory.
From Haiti to the world: AYITIKA’s global journey
Since its founding in 2022, the company has rapidly positioned itself as a premier Haitian chocolate brand. Based in Haiti’s southern department, about 130 miles from Port-au-Prince, the company partners with over 2,500 rural cocoa-producing families to develop sustainable farming practices and promote high-quality Haitian cocoa.
AYITIKA’s reputation has grown through its presence at major chocolate festivals, including:
Salon Du Chocolat (Paris, France)
Northwest Chocolate Festival (Seattle, USA)
Chocoa Festival (Netherlands)
Salon Du Chocolat Montréal (Canada), November 2024
The brand has already earned three international awards, including two Silver Medals and a Gourmet Award in Paris and Amsterdam.
Building Haiti’s chocolate reputation
Beyond promoting its own products, AYITIKA sees international trade fairs as a platform to change the narrative about Haiti.
“This fair is not just about selling chocolate,” Jean said. “It’s about showcasing Haiti’s potential, its rich flavors, and its people’s craftsmanship. Despite the challenges our country faces, we continue to create products that meet the highest global standards.”
Jean emphasized that these trade fairs strengthen AYITIKA’s push into North American and European markets, fostering partnerships for innovation.
The Les Cayes-based company’s participation also highlights Haiti’s evolving agribusiness sector, which has seen increased investments in organic and fair-trade production despite economic and political turmoil.
A call to the Haitian diaspora
Jean is encouraging the Haitian community in New York and beyond to attend the fair and support AYITIKA’s efforts.
“We invite everyone to come and rediscover the powerful aromas of Haitian cocoa and appreciate the talents of our chocolatiers,” he said.
For Ayitika, this event represents a step toward solidifying Haiti’s place in the global chocolate market—one bar at a time.