Oliver Coppeneur, a chocolate maker from Bad Honnef, Germany, is facing challenges due to skyrocketing cocoa prices that have nearly doubled since 2024. This surge is attributed to a catastrophic harvest in West Africa caused by the cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV), affecting 60% of cocoa production. While many chocolatiers are forced to raise prices, Coppeneur aims to keep his prices stable. He highlights that the increased cocoa costs may lead to a significant decrease in chocolate volume on the market, putting pressure on manufacturers, farmers, and consumers alike.
Prices for cocoa on the world market skyrocketed at the end of 2024, nearly doubling compared to the previous year. The sharp increase is putting significant pressure on the global chocolate industry.
Oliver Coppeneur told DW that the current surge in cocoa prices will make 'chocolate products equally costly,' which could eventually result in a 'significant decrease in volume' on the market.
A catastrophic 2024 harvest hit plantations all over West Africa. It was caused by the so-called cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV), which spreads from tree to tree and can reduce crop yields by 50% in just two years.
...climate change is causing significant challenges for cocoa production. From extreme weather patterns to plant diseases, the industry's resilience is severely tested.
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