The International Trade Centre (ITC), under the EU-funded ACP Business Friendly Programme, successfully hosted a 2-day cocoa training workshop from 30–31 July 2025, at Belmont Estate in northern Grenada.
The training brought together 30 participants, including farmers, cocoa processors, chocolate makers, and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. The workshop aimed to strengthen knowledge in sustainable cocoa production, post-harvest handling, and quality improvement, while fostering collaboration across the cocoa value chain. The sessions supported Grenada’s growing reputation as a fine-flavour cocoa origin and emphasised the importance of skills development to improve resilience and competitiveness.
The training was led by Sarah Bharath, a seasoned plant scientist and regional trainer with over 2 decades of field experience. Known for her passionate and practical approach, Sarah delivered insightful sessions on fermentation, drying techniques, soil and disease management, and other topics relevant to Caribbean cocoa producers. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and engage farmers made the training both accessible and impactful.
The programme also included knowledge sharing by local experts. Margaret Phillip, cocoa processing specialist, gave a detailed presentation on cocoa fermentation and drying practices at Belmont Estate, showcasing the estate’s post-harvest infrastructure and quality protocols.
Anthony Noel, Belmont Estate’s Farm Manager, presented on “Doing It Right: Quality Post-Harvest Processing at Belmont,” emphasising how careful attention to each stage of processing contributes to flavor expression and export readiness. Shadel Nyack Compton, Managing Director of Belmont Estate, shared reflections on the importance of cocoa quality and branding, highlighting how genetics, good practices, and storytelling shape Grenada’s position in the global speciality chocolate market.
William Castro, representing the International Trade Centre, reaffirmed ITC’s ongoing commitment to the Grenadian cocoa sector, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage to agriculture on the island. This training was part of ITC’s broader support to build resilience in the sector. It followed ITC’s participation in the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, where Caribbean and African countries explored new avenues for trade, development, and cooperation.
The 2-day event included both classroom-style discussions and hands-on demonstrations at Belmont Estate. Participants had the opportunity to observe cocoa fermentation and drying processes in real-time and to ask questions related to the daily realities of cocoa farming and processing. The energy throughout the event reflected a shared commitment to raising standards and sharing knowledge for the collective benefit of the sector.
Looking to the future, the International Trade Centre intends to deepen its engagement in Grenada by supporting initiatives to improve cocoa quality and production. ITC envisions working collaboratively with national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Grenada Cocoa Association, to enhance export opportunities for high-quality Grenadian chocolate. These efforts aim to align technical support with market access, ensuring that Grenadian cocoa continues to earn recognition for its unique flavour and sustainable production.
Belmont Estate is grateful to have served as host for this important training. On behalf of Belmont and the wider Grenadian cocoa community, we express heartfelt thanks to the International Trade Centre for selecting Grenada for this initiative. Special appreciation is extended to William Castro for his guidance and partnership, and to Sarah Bharath for her clear, engaging, and farmer-focused delivery. We look forward to continued collaboration in support of Grenada’s fine-flavour cocoa sector.
Belmont Estate
