- Global cocoa butter prices rose as late-quarter crop risks outweighed early surplus-led softness.
- Feedstock sentiment tightened as heavy rains and El Niño risks raised concerns over cocoa bean availability.
- Demand showed mixed trends, with some markets supporting consumption while others remained weak due to lower grindings and soft chocolate sales.
Cocoa butter prices increased during Q2 2026, driven primarily by weather-related supply uncertainty and continued volatility in the global cocoa market despite improving production prospects in West Africa. Expectations of a stronger Côte d’Ivoire harvest, supported by better farm investment and improved arrivals, periodically eased upward price pressure, while concerns over weaker pod development and crop conditions preserved a weather-related risk premium. On the supply side, the revised global cocoa surplus and improved inventory outlook prevented a sharper rally but were insufficient to eliminate market fluctuations. In Europe, weak chocolate consumption and subdued industrial demand limited processor buying, with regional cocoa bean usage declining year over year, while major manufacturers also reported lower sales volumes as food producers reduced procurement. Conversely, stronger processing activity in Asia provided support to overall demand, partially offsetting weaker grindings across Europe and North America.