The Rizek’s are cacao growers, processors and exporters who believe that discipline in production protocols, R&D and innovation are the key to obtaining true quality, from tree to bar. They have been growing and processing cacao in the heart of the Dominican Republic since 1905 and is currently being run by the 5^th generation.

Rizek has build a state-of-the-art processing facility located in close proximity to the farmers. The beans arrive at the facility within the first six hours of being harvested to ensure optimal freshness. After they arrive the sugar content, temperature and pH levels are evaluated to determined the proper fermentation and drying protocols in order to obtain the highest quality finished product. The beans are then dried in the sun for six days and our continual moved by hand ever 45 minutes to an hour. When the beans are spread out for drying, employees manually remove any part of the cacao that accidentally made through to this point.

They are the only company in the cacao industry with a fully equipped R&D department for cacao and cholate that also utilizes a traceability software that was developed in-house.

More than 85% of cacao farming in the Dominican Repuplic is carried out by small-scale farmers, most of whom use outdated agricultural practices and lack the finance to invest in their plots. In September 1998 hurricane George decimated the island, and many of these small farmers did not have the means to rebuild. As a consequence, Rizek launched PAROCA, an aid program designed to renew small cacao farms.

The purpose of the program was to plant, rehabilitate and provide free technical assistance to cacao producers in order to improve yields and quality in their farms, and to consequently transition them into organic farms. Since its formation Rizek has worked with over 6,000 cacao farmers and their communities, providing technical assistance and supporting development programs to improve the communities’ quality of life, preservation of natural resources and protection of biodiversity.

“We have been working together with our farmers and their families for four generations. It is our duty to share with them the progress and benefits that we have achieved together”  – Hector José Rizek

Rizek believes that cacao is a national treasure, and it is their duty to protect it. That is why they have become a member of Climate Smart Cocoa, a World Cocoa Foundation program to work in key producer countries to develop common strategy and clear investment pathways to increase industry engagement and investments in climate smart agriculture.

Rizek believes that cacao is a national treasure, and it is their duty to protect it. That is why they have become a member of Climate Smart Cocoa, a World Cocoa Foundation program to work in key producer countries to develop common strategy and clear investment pathways to increase industry engagement and investments in climate smart agriculture.