Bittersweet: Tucson's Monsoon Chocolate Weathers the Storm of Soaring Cocoa Prices cover art

Bittersweet: Tucson's Monsoon Chocolate Weathers the Storm of Soaring Cocoa Prices

Bittersweet: Tucson's Monsoon Chocolate Weathers the Storm of Soaring Cocoa Prices

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 https://www.instagram.com/vanessaclarkipaiThis is your Daily Cocoa Price Tracker with Vanessa Clark podcast.Welcome back to the Daily Cocoa Price Tracker. I’m Vanessa Clark, and as always, I’m here to bring you the latest cocoa market news, insights, and what it all means for you, whether you’re sipping your morning mocha or running a chocolate business.Today is Thursday, October thirtieth, twenty twenty-five, and here’s your fresh update on everything cocoa. Let’s jump right in with the numbers everyone wants to know.As of today, US cocoa futures are trading at about six thousand dollars per metric ton, according to Investing dot com. That’s a dip from the record highs of over twelve thousand dollars a ton we witnessed during the last holiday season, but prices remain dramatically elevated compared to just a couple of years ago, when cocoa was closer to two thousand five hundred dollars per ton. On the London market, futures are trading around four thousand three hundred fifty pounds per ton as of early afternoon trading.Why are cocoa prices still so high? It all comes down to supply and demand. This year, West Africa, which provides more than seventy percent of the world’s cocoa, has faced serious weather challenges and disease pressures on their cocoa crops. The International Cocoa Organization reported that last year’s global cocoa deficit was the largest in over sixty years. Production dropped significantly, and even though a bounce back is expected with production rising by nearly eight percent, stockpiles remain at historic lows. This means that while market prices have retreated from their all-time peak, they are still nearly triple what they were before the cocoa shortage began.All these price swings are starting to make waves in chocolate prices at your local shop and supermarket. Smaller chocolate makers, like Monsoon Chocolate in Tucson, say they used to pay six thousand dollars a metric ton for top-quality beans, but now the specialty cocoa market is fiercely competitive. Even large companies like Hershey and Lindt are having to hunt for beans and adjust recipes. In fact, you might notice more candies featuring peanut butter, cookies, caramel, or fruit flavors—part of a creative industry response to these high cocoa costs. Hershey highlighted disappointing chocolate sales this Halloween, possibly due to higher retail prices or shoppers reaching for alternative treats. SuperLove Cookies, a California bakery, says they are adding more variety to their gift boxes and using less chocolate to keep prices palatable for their customers.Adding to the mix, new tariffs of fifteen percent on cocoa imports from key producing countries are pushing prices up further, and nearly every part of the chocolate supply chain—from packaging to ingredients—has gotten more expensive.Looking at supply dynamics, Ghana, which has long been the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, is seeing sharply lower harvests due to a recent dry spell and poor growing conditions. Meanwhile, Ecuador is on track to overtake Ghana as the second-largest cocoa exporter, with exports up over thirty percent this year. Industry experts are closely watching the weather in West Africa and how that might influence the next crop.Despite all these supply issues and higher prices, consumer demand for chocolate is still surprisingly resilient. The National Confectioners Association says Americans spent over twenty-one billion dollars on chocolate and sweets last year—a record amount.For listeners looking for practical tips, here’s what you need to know: If you spot your favorite chocolate on sale this holiday season, consider stocking up—it might be a while before prices go back to where they were pre-shortage. For small businesses and bakers, focus on creativity and flexibility in your chocolate offerings. Many successful retailers are adding more variety—introducing new flavors and switching up ingredients to ride out the waves of the cocoa market.That wraps up today’s episode of the Daily Cocoa Price Tracker with me, Vanessa Clark. If you found this useful, make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend, and tune in next time for your must-know cocoa news. Thanks for listening—wishing you a sweet rest of your day.For more http://www.quietplease.aiCheck out Vanessa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vanessaclarkipaiFor some deals, check out https://amzn.to/4hSgB4rThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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