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A Country Brand for cacao
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
"We have to build a story to present to the world where cacao quality is emphasized", said Mario Arana, general manager of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN, for its Spanish acronym). "A Country Brand for cacao will give us a level of recognition that allows us to export our cacao, which in itself is 100% fine cacao, at better prices", added Orlando Solórzano, minister of Industry and Commerce.
Currently Nicaragua has about 14,000 hectares planted with fine cacao. Government authorities expect that, with a Country Brand, exports of the product will increase from USD 10 million to 50 million in the next three years.
The expansion of Nicaraguan cacao was discussed during the IV National Agricultural Congress of the Union of Agricultural Producers of Nicaragua (Upanic, for its Spanish acronym), where Lars Saquero Møller, general manager of Ingemann Fine Cocoa, stated that cacao production is a long-term investment on which the work of producers is key. "Genetics is not enough. Genetics barely represents between 30 and 40% of the final quality of cacao", he said.
Møller explained that, among other things, producers should monitor pH and temperature throughout the production process to ensure proper fermentation and develop better flavors. After that a specific sorting process should take place to discard double, small and flat grains.
According to the general manager of Ingemann, there are producers organizations in different parts of the country that have successfully entered the production of quality cocoa.
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.
The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.
Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.
We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.
Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.
