Despite Hurricane María’s effect on local cocoa production, the demand for Forteza chocolate has reflected growth that “has exceeded expectations for 2018," said Eduardo Cortés founder of the Forteza Caribbean Chocolate brand that is part of Cortés Hermanos.
For the past 100 years, worldwide chocolate consumption has reflected a 3 percent annual increase as demand for tasty cocoa-based products has gained ground. Today, the current global market value of annual cocoa crops is estimated at $5.1 billion, according to World Cocoa Foundation statistics.