- Cocoa prices declined globally in Q1’26 as improved harvest outlooks in West Africa shifted the market from deficit to surplus, reversing the previous upward cycle.
- Feedstock and supply dynamics weakened price support, with favourable weather boosting production while exporters locked in future prices to hedge volatility.
- Downstream demand remained subdued earlier due to high costs and reformulation trends, before showing a slight pickup during the Easter season supported by seasonal consumption patterns.
Cocoa prices trended downward, falling over 10% year-on-year at the start of 2026 and extending a broader correction of more than 70% from late-2024 highs, primarily driven by recovering production and improved harvest expectations in key West African origins. Favourable weather conditions in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, accounting for over 60% of global supply, supported early crop development, while expectations of surplus in the 2025/26 season weighed further on sentiment.
On the trade side, declining futures did not immediately translate into lower retail prices, as manufacturers continued to process higher-cost inventories purchased earlier, maintaining elevated shelf prices. Consumption patterns reflected pressure, with around 90% of Easter confectionery demand still chocolate-based and total seasonal spending estimated at about $3.3 billion yet supported by reformulation and cost control strategies rather than volume growth. Additionally, regulatory shifts such as traceability requirements increased compliance costs, influencing sourcing decisions.