The second-largest island in the Caribbean ( second only to Cuba ), the Dominican Republic produced about 68,021 tonnes of cocoa beans in 2013 , according to World Atlas . The United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) reported that this generated the country approximately $ 214mn in revenue . The types of cocoa bean produced in the Dominican Republic are generally of two types : Sanchez , or Hispaniola . World Atlas reports that until 2009 , it was the leading exporter of “ Fairtradecertified ” cocoa and remains highly rated . According to the UNDP , 85 % of cocoa in the country is farmed by small-scale farmers ,

Despite demand for chocolate increasing in recent years , cocoa-production in Mexico fell approximately 50 % between 2001 and 2009 , according to Geo-Mexico . With the main cocoa-production taking place in Tabasco , which has been such since the time of the Olmecs 3,000 years ago , Mexico produces 82,000 tonnes of beans yearly . Currently , World Atlas reports that the country imports more cocoa than it exports , pointing to diseases such as frosty pod as one of the reasons for the diminished crop . However , in 2012 Hershey launched a $ 2.8mn initiative to help treat dry rot and revitalise the Mexican cocoa industry , although long term results are yet to be perceived . and , in 2015 , the government signed an agreement that would lead to jobs for 40,000 farmers directly , and for 350,000 people across the country indirectly .

56 April 2018