• DMCC will leverage its expertise in tea and coffee to attract new cacao trade flows to, and through Dubai in support of the entire value chain
• Cacao services will initially be incubated within the DMCC Coffee Centre in Jebel Ali
• The cacao seed is a superfood connected to several health and wellness benefits
• The DMCC Cacao Centre will offer a range of services for the cacao shell, fruit and beans to meet rising global demand for cacao-related products

DMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise has announced plans to launch a state-of-the-art DMCC Cacao Centre in Dubai. DMCC will initially incubate a select range of cacao services within its DMCC Coffee Centre in Jebel Ali starting from mid-2021 and will transform the emirate into an international trade hub for the in-demand superfood as part of its mid to long-term development strategy.

“The DMCC Cacao Centre represents the next phase of our growth strategy and will see us transform Dubai into a global hub for the cacao trade,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC.

“Few thought the DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Coffee Centre would reach the levels of trade we see today, so by utilising our expertise and experience gained from developing these commodities, we see cacao and its high-growth potential as a logical next step. Whilst connecting producers with consumers will be an important part of our model, we will ensure DMCC Cacao Centre follows our high-level approach toward sustainability, which prioritises driving value across the entire supply chain,” he added.

Global demand for the superfood cacao – shell, fruit and beans – is rising and considered one of nature’s highest sources of magnesium and iron, as well as antioxidants and natural cacao butter. Cacao is also linked to holistic wellness and is used for physical, mental and emotional balance.

DMCC is in contact with a range of cacao industry players, including Blue Stripes Urban Cacao and stakeholders across West Africa and South America, in order to better understand the needs of the market and how Dubai can play a central role in supporting its sustainable growth.

A cacao webinar series focused on raising awareness of the superfood will be announced by DMCC in due course. Further information on the DMCC Cacao Centre can be found at @dmcccacaocentre on Instagram and Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Reference: https://www.dmcc.ae/news/dmcc-announces-plans-transform-dubai-international-cacao-trade-hub