COCOA FARMER CHALLENGES
What’s haunting Halloween chocolate? The climate pressures behind Halloween’s sweetest tradition
Halloween chocolate connects American shoppers with cocoa-growing communities in West Africa. Heat and crop disease can disrupt harvests, but climate change is only one influence on candy prices.
Under 4-year project from 2022 to 2026, Trong Duc Cocoa in Vietnam began feeding 5,000 tons of discarded cocoa pods into a gasifier. Now, the waste helps dry fresh beans in 7 days instead of 15 during the rainy season
Trong Duc Cocoa Co. Ltd. in southern Vietnam has developed a way to reuse approximately 5,000 tons of discarded cocoa pods generated each year. Supported by the European Union-funded SWITCH Asia program, the project feeds shredded and dried pods into a Torch Updraft Gasifier, where they are converted into biochar while producing usable gas and heat. The heat is used to assist cocoa-bean drying, particularly during the rainy season, when humidity can extend drying times and increase mold risks.
A bee box changed everything: Zerodha's Nithin Kamath shares the surprising farming technique that boosted yields significantly
Introducing bee boxes on farms has dramatically boosted coconut yields by 20%, according to 13 years of data from Akshayakalpa, highlighted by Nithin Kamath. This simple, nature-based solution underscores the vital role of pollinators in agriculture and human survival. The initiative, now integrated across 7,500 farms, demonstrates how protecting ecosystems offers significant benefits for farmers and the environment, proving that simple solutions can yield massive wins.
Record agri output in 2025 amid GST cuts, US tariffs; seed, pesticide bills eyed for 2026
India's agriculture sector closed 2025 with record foodgrain output projections. GST reforms provided significant input cost relief for farmers. Despite US tariffs impacting exports, market diversification proved effective. Farmers await crucial seed and pesticide bills in 2026 to combat fake inputs.
Christmas chocolates still costly despite falling cocoa prices – here’s why
Chocolate prices stay high even though cocoa costs are falling. Last year, cocoa jumped, making makers raise prices and change recipes. Companies still use expensive cocoa and small bars have less cocoa. Farmers in West Africa face challenges, and supply is limited. Shops may not cut prices until 2026. Holiday chocolate remains costly for now.
Cocoa prices are plunging. Why then is chocolate still so expensive?
Producers and analysts expect cheaper cocoa to only start feeding through to supermarket aisles in the second half of next year, and even that is far from certain. That means households already stretched by pricier groceries from beef to coffee will have to keep weighing whether chocolate remains an affordable treat.
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After cocoa, higher hazelnut prices to hit chocolatiers
Turkey’s hazelnut harvest — the world’s largest — is expected to fall by over a third this year after severe spring frost, according to the Turkish Grain Board. Production is projected at 453,000 tons, down from 717,000 tons last year. In response, the board has raised the price it pays farmers by around 50%.
Can Indian craft chocolate go global and compete with the world's finest?
Indian craft chocolate is growing. It aims to compete with global brands. Brands focus on local cacao from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They emphasize terroir and unique flavors. Challenges include low consumption and inconsistent bean quality. Brands are working with farmers to improve processes. They are also educating consumers about the value of craft chocolate.
Cash crunch stalls cocoa and coffee trading around the world
A surge in cocoa and coffee futures prices has strained traders' finances, hindering global shipments. Rising costs and financing difficulties have exacerbated the situation, with weather issues and crop diseases causing supply shortages.
Food inflation to moderate in next 2 quarters, expect double-digit revenue growth in H2: Marico
Marico, an FMCG giant, is aiming for double-digit growth in the latter half of FY25. Anticipating a decrease in food inflation, the company plans to navigate rising input costs by strategically adjusting prices while prioritizing volume growth and market share.
From organic farms to café tables: The inspiring journey of two small business innovators redefining how India drinks its coffee
India's MSMEs are leveraging innovation and local resources to drive sustainability and market transformation. Highlighting the stories of Waystores and Drinkcity Beverages and their growth via the Walmart Vriddhi program, the article showcases how entrepreneurs overcome challenges and achieve remarkable growth in the coffee sector.
Backlash erupts over Europe's anti-deforestation law
The European Union's new environmental law aimed at protecting endangered forests by tracing supply chains faces global pushback.
Sweet Profits, Bitter Reality: Who gains the most from the cocoa price surge?
The cocoa industry is facing significant shifts as cocoa prices soar, driven by poor harvests in West Africa. While prices have surged to record highs, small-scale producers in regulated countries like Ivory Coast and Ghana see limited benefits due to pre-set prices. Meanwhile, less regulated countries like Cameroon and Nigeria gain more from market trends. Major processors struggle with high costs and production slowdowns. Climate change, bean disease, and low farmer incomes exacerbate the situation, leading to child labor and land sales. Despite these challenges, major chocolate companies continue to report significant profits.
'Winners and losers': The world of coffee is being reordered by EU laws to stop cutting of forests
Vietnam can't afford to lose — Europe is the largest market for its coffee, comprising 40% of its coffee exports. Six weeks after the EUDR was approved, Vietnam's agriculture ministry started working to prepare coffee growing provinces for the shift. It has since rolled out a national plan that includes a database of where crops are grown and mechanisms to make this information traceable.
Chocolate prices are rising everywhere as cocoa rots in West Africa
It’s a climate crisis playing out across Ivory Coast and Ghana, the heavyweights of cocoa, with consequences for global food inflation and the cost-of-living squeeze.
World Chocolate Master Elias Laderach feels that chocolate is best savoured through five senses
World Chocolate Master and co-owner at Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, Elias Läderach tells ET Panache what it was like living above a chocolate factory and answers our burning question: Is the world running out of chocolate?
Christmas Hazelnut shortage threatens holiday favorites, prices may skyrocket | Know why
Turkey, which typically accounts for around 70 percent of the world's hazelnut production, is grappling with an unusually poor yield this year, primarily due to adverse weather conditions. This situation has sparked concerns, particularly among companies like Ferrero, well-known for its delectable Ferrero Rocher chocolates and beloved Nutella spread.
Chocolate could get even pricier if Africa’s cocoa crop flops
Analysts at Rabobank and Marex expect West African output to drop in the 2023-24 season. Marex forecasts the global deficit at 279,000 tons, more than the previous two shortfalls combined.
How West Africa can reap more profit from the global chocolate market
The continent of Africa contributes to 70% of the global raw cocoa beans production. However, in the multibillion dollar global chocolate industry, it produces just 1% of the chocolate.
World’s top food producers push back on deforestation rules
The consumers worldwide may end up footing the bill as producers pass on the new costs to them.
How chocolate could counter climate change
The biochar industry could potentially capture 2.6 billion of the 40 billion tonnes of CO2 currently produced by humanity each year, although scaling up use remains a challenge. Producers aim to sell carbon certificates to companies to reduce their carbon emissions.
How did the bitter medicine cacao turn into the world’s number 1 comfort food chocolate?
In 16th century Latin America, cacao was used as a currency.
MNCs need to increase sourcing transparency with growing focus on global supply chains’ carbon footprint: Dan A. Iancu
Dan A. Iancu teaches at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (GSB). Speaking to Srijana Mitra Das, he discusses ways to improve the environmental and social impacts of global supply chains.
How Asian chocolatiers are winning over with artisanal sweet treats
Chocolate-makers in the Philippines are mixing soy sauce with their sweets.
Farmers, chocolatiers look to create a market for Indian-flavoured chocolates
Chordia estimates at least 30 bean-to-bar chocolate makers will hit the scene by 2020.
Despite growing demand for chocolate, India imports most of its Cocoa
In India, cocoa is grown primarily as an intercrop in Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, as the tree requires about 40-50 per cent shade.
Crop insurance scheme: Awareness, technology key for successful implementation
The govt recently launched a new crop insurance scheme titled Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to mitigate rural distress caused by crop failure or damage.
El Nino’s return may increase food prices in Asia; policy makers bracing for damages
“Anything that pushes food prices materially higher in Asia has the potential to be a headache for central banks,” said Mark Walton.
Mars Inc’s Howard-Yana Shapiro: Why his visit is important for India
"We cannot be lazy. The Green Revolution in India is 50 years old. We need another revolution here."
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