With its distinctive smooth yet complex spectrum of flavors, the nation’s well-known Trinitario chocolate has found its way to Chinese consumers from the hills of Trinidad and Tobago to the skyscrapers of Shanghai and the tropical coasts of Hainan.
Ashley Parasram, Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Excellent Cocoa Company, stated in an exclusive interview with Loop News that four tons of these fine chocolate goods, which are expertly created, had been transported to China thus far.
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According to Parasram, the firm has partnerships in Hainan and Orient International Shanghai Foreign Trade Co. Ltd. for the distribution of premium chocolate from Trinidad to Shanghai.
“We’re looking at putting our chocolate into the Chinese market and coming up with innovative new products for the China market, and work with designers and packaging companies there, so it’s a very exciting partnership.”
He claimed that in order to send 12 additional tons of premium chocolate from Trinidad to China, the business has forged new agreements.
The firm will collaborate with Harrod’s Shanghai store to develop distinctive chocolate items using Trinitario cocoa, having previously partnered with the UK retailer.
“We participated at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai as part of the ExporTT stand, we’ve had a lot of support from ExporTT and InvesTT, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in getting the products to China.”
They further added, “We’ve also had a lot of support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Port of Spain and the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago to China in Beijing.”
“We’re hoping that next year will be a very exciting year for our export.”
He said that the market for chocolate consumption is still in its infancy and that there is much potential for growth for Trinidadian businesses there, mostly because of China’s emphasis on trade through the Belt and Road Initiative, of which Trinidad and Tobago is a participant.
“The Belt and Road Initiative is very key in terms of facilitating trade and there is definitely an appetite for interesting products into the China market. It’s a huge market; 70 percent of the population is online, and they have very good, sophisticated platforms such as WeChat which can be used, so I think it’s a market that is ready for products from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, so it’s very exciting in that regard.”
“From seeing our own company’s experience, it’s worth other companies taking a look at that market and exploring further trade opportunities.”
According to Parasram, there are plans for several other fascinating items. One such product is a blend of Trinitario chocolates with the well-known baiju from China, which is also a popular combination of chocolate and rum. Plans also include adding traditional Chinese components like tea.
“Historically, chocolate is new to the Chinese market, but as we’ve seen with things like wine and whiskey, there is a growing market for that so the opportunity is there, definitely, so we think there are other products like rum, spices and peppers that can also be popular in the Chinese market.”
Chinese consumers will be able to purchase the chocolates online and have them sent straight to their residences.
With the opening of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate at Point Lisas, the region’s flagship project, Trinidad and Tobago is also the first Caribbean nation to profit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Although the project won’t be completed until early 2024, Summit Baggage, one of the clients, has already finished producing its first container of branded luggage for shipment to markets in North America.
In 2018, Trinidad and Tobago became the first nation to formally join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Presently, eight out of the fifteen CARICOM nations have done so.
Trinidad and Tobago made history in 2019 by being the first CARICOM nation to have commerce with China surpass USD 1 billion.
The T&T Fine Cocoa Company also offers a selection of premium chocolate with distinctive flavor combinations for local consumers.
