Cocoa prices continue to rise, from €2,000 to €10,000 per tonne.
For this reason, we are looking for a sugar-free, chemical-free alternative without cocoa.
However, this search is not so easy, as it also naturally has to taste good.
We are continuing our search, of course, as we do not want to become dependent on a commodity source driven by hedge funds and speculators.
Foodwatch has illustrated very clearly in a Q&A post how the commodity exchange works.
Questions & Answers on Food Speculation | FW DE
Attached is a brief summary of the reasons for the price increase. I had ChatGPT create this.
Best regards
Ludwig
The continuous increase in cocoa prices has several causes on both the supply and demand sides:
1. Climate change and extreme weather: Cocoa trees are extremely sensitive to climatic changes. In the main growing areas of West Africa, especially in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, and floods lead to significant crop failures. These extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, severely affect the productivity of cocoa plantations.
2. Diseases and pests: Monocultures, which are common in conventional cocoa farming, increase the plants' susceptibility to diseases and pests. In West Africa, various plant diseases have destroyed up to 50% of harvests. Climate change exacerbates this problem, as stressed trees are more vulnerable to such threats.
3. Speculation on commodity markets: The supply shortage has led to an increase in cocoa prices on global markets. Speculators and hedge funds are increasingly investing in cocoa, which drives prices even higher. In February 2024, the price of cocoa on the New York commodity exchange reached the $10,000 per tonne mark for the first time.
4. Rising production costs and inflation: The increased raw material prices have a direct impact on chocolate production costs. Manufacturers such as Lindt & Sprüngli have announced that they will raise their prices due to the increased costs of cocoa and other ingredients. In December 2024, chocolate bar prices were on average 14.6% higher than in the previous year.
Together, these factors are making cocoa more expensive, which is reflected in higher prices for chocolate and cocoa-containing products.
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