About us - Cortés Hermanos

Our Mission

Develop, produce, and market products related to food and well-being, which create exceptional experiences.

Our Vision

Develop, produce, and market products related to food and well-being, which create exceptional experiences.

Our Values

People

We appreciate our associates and develop their potential in a respectful and stimulating environment.

Excellence

We are committed to quality and effectiveness in our processes, products, and services.

Innovation

We promote the generation of new ideas that move us to a higher level.

Responsibility

We fully comply with all commitments, maintaining our credibility with clients and related parties.

A legacy of flavor and tradition

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Our History

1920's Decade

"The attitude of Mr. Pedro Cortés Forteza determined our destiny."

Cortés Hermanos was founded in 1929 by Pedro Cortés Forteza in the city of Santo Domingo. His leadership promoted tradition, quality, discipline, and constant commitment to their customers. Those qualities remain preponderant in the company to this day, leading us towards excellence and constant improvement while allowing us to experience sustained growth over time.

Company foundation

1930's Decade

"A good entrepreneur, few ideas are enough"

In 1931, Don Pedro Cortés Forteza saw new horizons and great opportunities in Puerto Rico, where he immediately began exporting chocolate. However, it wasn’t until 1937 when Don Pedro expanded his operations to the neighboring island by installing an additional processing plant there.

Exporting to Puerto Rico

1950's Decade

"To reinvent yourself is to bet on yourself. It is believing in our decisions. "

In 1952, under the guidance of his visionary son, Ignacio Cortés Del Valle, Cortés successfully entered the international market with semi-processed cocoa products. The export gained markets given close collaborations with customers from abroad and introduction of modern approaches to quality.

Two years later, in 1954, we moved to the new industrial facilities located in the Emilio Prud Homme and expanded the range of products for the consumer introducing Chocolate Cortes and Chocolate Ambassador to the market. The latter is emblematically remembered for the successful campaign ' 'The Treasure In Your Home' 'with its famous slogan' 'Take Chocolate, pay what you owe' 'whose mechanics was to exchange labels for money. Today, Chocolate Embajador is a country brand that continues to preserve its traditional flavor and bar format.

Product range expansion

1960's Decade

"We have found opportunities in collaboration."

This decade is marked by negotiations in Puerto Rico with the coffee family with the surname Sobrino, who were in charge of producing Cocoa that Cortes Hermanos sold in square canister formats. This product was introduced in the Dominican Republic and today is the instant cocoa par excellence of the country.

Strategic alliances

1970's Decade

"Satisfied customer, our best strategy."

A decade of diversification and amplification in the commercial scope for Cortés Hermanos. After the success of Cocoa Sobrino in the market, in 1971, we managed the same in its entirety and then launched the strawberry flavor and a new format in knob.

In 1977, we entered the market with Diplomatic Chocolate in the Cibao area. This product obtained immediate acceptance by the consumer. And, after the productive and commercial growth of the company, export begins in other markets such as the United States and Europe.

New releases

1980’s Decade

"We do not create brands, we create solutions to chocolate needs."

Cortés Hermanos company has a new president, Mr. Ignacio Cortés Gelpi. At the beginning of his management a whole line of Candy Bars was launched with the Mas Mas, Crachi, Rocky and Mr. Milk brands, which were sold in supermarkets and wholesalers, making themselves known publicly through television advertising and radio.

New candy bars

1990's Decade

"Constant growth is our mechanism of excellence."

To meet national and international demand, we carried out modernizations, renovations and expansion of the cocoa collection centers and warehouses in the Dominican Republic.

Market expansion

2000's Decade

The development of the strategy to create a new line of premium Chocolate Cortés in its exquisite cone, cocoa and coffee flavors was started. The change of image of the Diplomatic and Nephew chocolate was also implemented

Chocolate Cortés Premium Milk Chocolate

2010's Decade

"Our vision has always been the satisfaction of our customers."

In 2013, we developed a marketing project in non-traditional sales channels such as pharmacies, airports, among others. While in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, we opened the doors to Casa Cortés, a meeting place for the knowledge and enjoyment of Caribbean art.

In 2014, we launched Cortes Premium Almendra, while on Isla del Encanto, we opened Choco Bar Cortés, an innovative gastronomic space where chocolate is the main star. We also developed and commercialized, mainly in airports, a line of chocolate of superior quality called Forteza. This project takes its first steps through the promotion of cocoa planting and supports Puerto Rican farmers and partner institutions.

Later in 2015 we introduced a fifth variety of Cortés Premium Cono & Cream with activations of tastings and tactical sales points. At the same time, the expansion of distribution in the local market begins, capturing tourist shops in the Bávaro-Punta Cana area.

Nowadays, the company has become the main cocoa and chocolate producer in the Caribbean basin

Main cocoa processor