Global cocoa prices have surged sharply over the past week, rebounding from a year-low as adverse weather conditions in West Africa renewed fears of supply shortages.
Data from the New York Exchange showed that cocoa, which had slumped to a 52-week low last week, recovered to settle at $7,420 per metric ton. The rebound reflects renewed investor confidence, with traders pricing in the potential impact of unpredictable rainfall patterns and pest outbreaks in major producing countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Analysts noted that weather conditions in West Africa remain the single largest driver of global cocoa prices, as the region accounts for more than 70 percent of global output. Concerns that excessive rains could disrupt harvesting and transportation have added pressure to the supply outlook, while rising demand from chocolate manufacturers continues to support upward price momentum.
The latest rally comes less than a year after cocoa futures hit an all-time high of $12,646 per ton in December 2024. Since then, the commodity has seen significant volatility, swinging between record peaks and multi-year lows.
Traders warn that the fragile balance between supply and demand in the cocoa industry will likely sustain price instability. “Any disruption in West Africa immediately reflects on the international market. With climate patterns becoming increasingly erratic, price swings are almost inevitable,” one commodity analyst explained.
Industry stakeholders are now closely monitoring weather reports and harvest projections in Ivory Coast and Ghana. Further deterioration in conditions could drive prices higher in the coming weeks, leaving confectionery companies and processors bracing for tighter margins if volatility persists.
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📊 Cocoa Market Snapshot
•Current Price: $7,420/ton (New York Exchange)
•52-Week Low: $7,420/ton (Sept. 2025)
•Record High: $12,646/ton (Dec. 2024)
•Year-to-Date Trend: Volatile, marked by sharp swings
•Key Drivers: Erratic rainfall, pest outbreaks, strong global demand
