What is driving cocoa's sweet price?

Understanding the surge in cocoa prices

In the realm of food commodities, witnessing a sharp increase in prices is a rare event. Yet, this is precisely what's unfolding in the cocoa market. Over the past year, NY cocoa prices have soared by more than 200%, including a notable surge of 97% just in this year. The London based cocoa future has rallied even stronger, with the May 2024 futures contract up 105% YTD. 

This significant uptick can be traced back to a combination of factors, especially in West Africa. Here, the Ivory Coast and Ghana are recognised as the leading global producers of cocoa beans. The past year has introduced challenging weather conditions in these countries, particularly intense heat, which has negatively impacted cocoa production. 

Furthermore, the escalating costs of pesticides and fertilisers have imposed financial strains on farmers, making it harder for them to procure these vital components for crop maintenance. Complicating matters are the pests that have targeted cocoa plants, further diminishing yields.

Impact of surging cocoa prices on traders and investors

The prevailing circumstances pose an interesting scenario for traders and investors alike. With cocoa production witnessing a downturn—evidenced by a 40% decrease in arrivals at Ivory Coast ports compared to the previous season—the supply chain has felt the pinch. This reduction in supply occurs as a significant portion of the cocoa is pre-sold to companies and manufacturers of cocoa and chocolate products. Faced with the challenge of fulfilling these commitments, these entities are compelled to look for alternative sources. This scramble for cocoa has led to a squeeze in the futures market for cocoa prices.

Consumer impact of rising cocoa prices

From the consumer's standpoint, the immediate effects of the spike in cocoa prices might not be directly noticeable. Typically, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for such price hikes to be reflected in the retail pricing of products. Nevertheless, in the forthcoming period, consumers should brace for an uptick in chocolate bar prices.

Additionally, the trend of shrinkflation is likely to become more pronounced. This practice involves reducing the size of chocolate bars or the quantity of chocolates in a package while keeping prices constant. Consequently, while there might not be a stark rise in the price tags of chocolate items, the quantity offered for the same price will see a reduction.

Edit note: Performance data for cocoa updated March 19, 2024.