Chocolate Cortés marks ‘World Cocoa Day’ honoring local cacao industry
As World Cocoa Day approaches on July 7, Chocolate Cortés is spotlighting cacao’s importance to agriculture, the economy and cultural heritage in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
The Puerto Rican company, which will mark its 100th anniversary in 2029, is using the occasion to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to local cacao production and the farmers behind it.
World Cocoa Day was established in 2010 by the International Cocoa Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to recognize cacao’s global significance. The date also commemorates cacao’s introduction to Europe in the 16th century, which launched the crop into international trade and traditions.
Cacao today supports more than 50 million people worldwide and continues to drive rural development in many regions.
“This day is an opportunity to recognize the agricultural and economic value of cocoa and to honor the farmers who make each chocolate bar possible,” said Ignacio Javier Cortés, executive vice president of Chocolate Cortés. “Our commitment has always been to turn this crop into a sustainable growth opportunity and a source of Puerto Rican pride.”
Chocolate Cortés, which has produced chocolate in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic since 1929, has played a key role in reviving local cacao farming. Since 2016, cacao production in Puerto Rico has grown by more than 3,400% — fueled by the company’s planting efforts, farmer training and investment in bean-to-bar production.
In the last 10 years, the company has distributed more than 22,000 high-yield grafted cacao trees to local growers. It has also provided free fermentation workshops and technical assistance to improve quality and increase yields.
These efforts have created new jobs in agriculture and manufacturing and helped raise the island’s profile in the global cacao industry. Several Puerto Rican cacao varieties have been named among the world’s top 50 at the International Cocoa Awards in Paris.
Chocolate Cortés continues expanding its mission through initiatives like its premium Forteza line, which highlights the richness of Caribbean-grown cacao. The company also supports education and tourism programs that build public appreciation for the crop.
“Cocoa is not just an ingredient; it is history, identity and the future,” Cortés said. “We invite all Puerto Ricans to celebrate this day with pride and awareness, supporting local production and valuing every bean born from our land.”
