María Elsy Abreu turns Dominican cacao into a driver of sustainability and inclusion

In the Dominican Republic, a new generation of entrepreneurs is transforming agricultural value chains. María Elsy Abreu, co-founder and director of Cacao Mae, is one of the movement’s leading figures. With a background in marketing and an in-depth understanding of international markets, she is working to showcase the exceptional quality of Dominican cacao and to leverage it for sustainable and inclusive development.

From agricultural roots to a global vision

Born into a family of farmers who cultivated cacao, tobacco, and coffee for generations, María Elsy grew up immersed in rural life. Building on this background and her training in marketing and international trade, she and her brother José Alejandro co-founded Cacao Mae in 2015. Their ambition was to offer authentic, organic, additive-free products while connecting producers, processors, and consumers directly.

An entrepreneur committed to inclusion

María Elsy’s approach goes beyond products, placing inclusion at its core. She establishes direct partnerships with smallholder cacao producers, particularly collaborating with the Dominican producer Yluminada Ortega. Together, they share expertise and networks to ensure that the company’s success benefits rural women, too.

A sustainable company focused on the future

Under her leadership, Cacao Mae is committed to sustainability, with solar-powered production, rainwater harvesting and recyclable packaging. The company now has a presence on international markets, including the United States, Switzerland, Uruguay and Europe, and its products are sold in over 50 outlets across the Dominican Republic.

Recognition and visibility

María Elsy represents her country at major international trade fairs, from the Salon du Chocolat in Paris to the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. In 2024, her efforts were rewarded with the Pro-Internationalisation Award from ProDominicana.

For María Elsy, entrepreneurship is not just about economic growth; it is also a social project. By building a responsible and inclusive company, she demonstrates that Dominican cacao can be a source of national pride and a product of excellence, as well as a tool for social transformation.

María Elsy Abreu has presented her company during the Caribbean Agrifood Business Session n°9, organised by IICA and COLEAD, and aimed at showcasing the innovations and successes of Caribbean farmer-led businesses and small and medium enterprises. You can access the business profile of Cacao Mae.

If you are interested in this topic, join the Women Empowerment discussion on the Agrinnovators Forum.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.