
Audio By Carbonatix
Cocoa’s shortage is set to deepen further this season amid persistent production challenges from poor weather and disease.
Demand will exceed production by 462,000 metric tons, the International Cocoa Organization said in its third estimate for the current year that started in October. That figure is 5.2% more than the organization’s May forecast of a 439,000-ton deficit, which itself was a larger shortfall than its original outlook in February.
Global supply remains low as a result of “adverse weather conditions, aged trees, pests and diseases that affected production in major cocoa areas during the season under review,” the ICCO said in a Friday report.
Production for the season is seen at 4.33 million tons, 2.9% below ICCO’s earlier estimate, while grindings are expected to be 2.1% lower at 4.75 million tons.
New York futures are up around 80% this year as poor harvests in West Africa curbed supplies, though prices have pared back from record highs. The region’s cocoa industry is still grappling with lasting issues like crop disease, and new trees take at least three years to reach fruit-bearing maturity. That’s constraining how quickly production can ramp up to ease the shortage.
Latest Stories
-
NAIMOS disables six excavators and seizes firearms in anti-galamsey raid at Ahwiren
2 hours -
Woman in court over alleged GH¢675,000 GAF recruitment scam
2 hours -
France vs England mega-preview: Predictions, form guide, key players and more
3 hours -
Mahama backs Black Stars to win AFCON, World Cup with squad stability
3 hours -
Nikki Samonas takes over as host of Joy Prime’s ‘Changes’
3 hours -
Better coordination can end ‘no-bed syndrome’ – Deputy Health Minister
4 hours -
Parliament approves National Defence University Bill
4 hours -
Police to pursue second charge against woman jailed over anti-Mahama TikTok video
5 hours -
More reshuffles coming; be ready to serve — Mahama
5 hours -
Trump limits length of visas for students, exchange visitors, journalists
6 hours -
Supreme Court criticises police for ‘kululu’ with complainant in $270,000 gold export scam case
6 hours -
US strikes hit Iran for seventh consecutive night
6 hours -
France eye bronze on Deschamps’ farewell
7 hours -
Smart Africa Chief Lacina Koné to speak at Pan African AI Summit 2026 in Accra
8 hours -
Trump threatens new Canada tariffs over fires sending ‘filthy’ air into US cities
8 hours