Photo Credit – Maya Mountain Cacao
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Maya Mountain Cacao Ltd. (MMC), one of Belize’s largest cacao enterprises and a cornerstone of Toledo’s economy, is undergoing a historic transformation. After more than 15 years of private operation, the company will transition into a farmer-owned cooperative, placing ownership and long-term benefits directly into the hands of the more than 400 farmers it works with across southern Belize.
“Although it has always been privately owned, founder Emily Stone now wants the farmers to own the business outright,” PGTV reported on November 27.
The process was signaled in an invitation posted by MMC on November 12, calling farmers to a General Membership Meeting at Julian Cho Technical High School’s auditorium in the Dump area on November 22. Themed “Empowering Cacao Farmers, Building a Stronger Cacao Industry,” the meeting, attended by 375+ farmers from 30 communities, outlined the cooperative structure, featured keynote speakers, and included the election of a Managing Committee.
Maya Mountain Cacao’s 2025 General Membership Meeting at Julian Cho Technical High School’s auditorium in the Dump area on November 22, 2025. Photo Credit – Maya Mountain Cacao
“We embark on the next chapter — transitioning into a Cooperative Society owned and managed by you, the cacao farmers,” MMC said in its November 12 post.
The company also reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to fair trade and shared prosperity:
“For the past 15 years, Maya Mountain Cacao Ltd. has stood tall with and for our farmers — ensuring fair prices, quality production, and shared success.”
Farmers at the meeting also engaged with representatives from CRESAP about grant funding opportunities and registered their farms under the Ministry of Agriculture’s BAIMS system. Transportation was provided to ensure broad participation from 30 communities across Toledo.
MMC’s headquarters at 13½ Miles San Antonio Road continues to serve as a hub for farmer engagement and post-harvest processing. The cooperative transition will unfold over the coming months.
Maya Mountain Cacao’s 2025 General Membership Meeting at Julian Cho Technical High School’s auditorium in the Dump area on November 22, 2025. Photo Credit – Maya Mountain Cacao
“We’re also proud to share that a dedicated group of farmers volunteered to be part of the Management Committee to lead the next phase of development,” Maya Mountain Cacao said after the meeting in a statement posted on November 24.
“Work now begins on building the cooperative’s bylaws, internal policies and other documents—an important step in strengthening and growing the cacao industry in Southern Belize.’
For Toledo’s cacao growers, the change represents more than a business restructuring — it is a generational step toward ownership, resilience, and community-led development.
The post Maya Mountain Cacao embarks on cooperative transition appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Photo Credit – Maya Mountain Cacao By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Maya Mountain Cacao Ltd. (MMC), one of Belize’s largest cacao enterprises and a cornerstone of Toledo’s economy, is undergoing a historic transformation. After more than 15 years of private operation, the company will transition into a farmer-owned cooperative, placing ownership and long-term benefits directly into
The post Maya Mountain Cacao embarks on cooperative transition appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
