Founded in 2016, Choko Lakay has become a trailblazer in Haiti’s cocoa industry, redefining how sustainability and innovation can drive global success. Guided by its motto, “Nothing is lost, everything is valued in cocoa,” the company operates on a zero-waste, circular economy model, transforming every part of the cacao tree into high-valu e products—from organic cocoa powder and butter to cocoa tea and natural cosmetics. This approach reflects a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and quality craftsmanship.

Scaling Beyond Borders with TFO Canada’s support

Choko Lakay’s expansion into international markets was accelerated through its participation in the project “Support for Private Sector Development through Investment Promotion,” implemented by TFO Canada for the Center for Facilitation of Investments (CFI) Haiti and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This project provided essential training, export readiness support, and trade mission opportunities that helped the company meet international standards and connect with buyers.

Participation in trade missions to Montreal (2022) and Toronto, including SIAL Canada (2023), proved pivotal. “These missions allowed us to understand buyer expectations, refine our branding, and build meaningful business connections”, says Brisly Gemeus, Co-Owner and General Manager. These experiences enabled Choko Lakay to refine its branding, adopt export-compliant packaging, and build strong business relationships—laying the foundation for its current success.

Recent Achievements: A Strong Market Presence

2025 has been a year of remarkable progress. Choko Lakay:

• Secured distribution partnerships with Canadian businesses, increasing visibility and consumer access.
• Made its products available online via lakayexpress.ca, reaching Canadian consumers and the Haitian diaspora.
• Confirmed participation in the Ethnocultural Creators Village Open House on December 6, 2025, strengthening brand visibility in Montreal.
• Achieved more than CAD 18,000 in export sales between June and November 2025, with a projected 1,000 bags of cocoa powder sold in November alone—a clear sign of growing market traction.

Looking Ahead: Choko Lakay’s Vision for Growth

Building on its achievements, Choko Lakay is charting an ambitious path to strengthen Haiti’s cocoa sector and expand its global footprint. The company plans to scale production to 150 metric tons annually, transform 5 tons of cocoa each month into premium finished products, and train 1,500 farmers in sustainable practices. To promote climate resilience, the company will plant 10,000 trees over the next 18 months, while diversifying offerings with tropical fruit chocolate bars, cocoa-based beverages, and natural cosmetics. Choko Lakay also aims to create experiential value through an immersive agritourism program that celebrates Haiti’s cocoa heritage. These initiatives position the brand as a leader in ethical, high-quality cocoa exports—combining sustainability, innovation, and cultural pride to meet growing global demand.

Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Growth

Beyond commercial success, Choko Lakay continues to innovate and lead with purpose. Its zero-waste model transforms cocoa shells into tea and compost, while agroforestry systems promote biodiversity and climate resilience. The company has standardized its production process for consistent quality and introduced traceability tools to ensure transparency. Importantly, Choko Lakay is now engaged in Fairtrade certification with FLOCERT and organic certification with ECOCERT. These efforts aim to strengthen its commitment to ethical, sustainable, and traceable production while opening doors to high-value international markets. On the social front, recent initiatives like the April 2025 entrepreneurship program for young women underscore its dedication to gender inclusion and community empowerment.

A Story of Partnership and Progress

Reflecting on this journey, Brisly Gemeus shares: “The support from TFO Canada has been a game-changer. It strengthened our export readiness, improved our practices, and opened doors to new markets. Today, Choko Lakay is not just selling cocoa—we are promoting sustainability, empowering communities, and proudly representing Haiti on the global stage.”

From Haiti’s cocoa fields to Canadian shelves, Choko Lakay’s journey proves that sustainability, innovation, and cultural pride can scale globally. Every product tells a story of ethical sourcing and community empowerment—bringing the rich heritage of Haitian cocoa to the world. The future is ready to embrace authentic, high-quality products. Let’s keep building bridges from local roots to global markets.