Cocoa is down by 5.01%

Cocoa futures stabilized around $5,600 a tonne, close to their lowest since early October, amid signs of rising inventories. ICE cocoa inventories have steadily expanded since the start of the year, reaching a 2.5-year high of 3,635,354 bags by October 21. Still, signs of improving demand and concerns over West African supplies limted the downside. Cocoa grindings across key processing regions rose 14.3% in Q3, beating market expectations as Asian processing jumped 29.2% and European volumes increased by 3.2%. North America was the exception, recording a 2.5% decline. On the supply side, concerns are mounting over the 2026/27 West African cocoa crop. Below-average rainfall in the Ivory Coast has raised fears of weaker pod development, while Ghana is also facing a potentially smaller harvest amid weather-related stress and crop disease. The expected strong impact of El Niño adds further uncertainty.

Cocoa decreased 5.01% to 5550.53 USD/T

Cocoa prices traded around $5,700 a tonne following recent volatility, remaining well above February’s lows, supported by signs of improving demand and concerns over West African supplies. Third-quarter grindings rose a stronger-than-expected 14.3% across key processing regions, led by a 29.2% jump in Asia and a 3.2% rise in Europe, although North American processing declined 2.5%. On the supply side, concerns over the 2026/27 crop persist, as below-average rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and the potential impact of El Niño raise the risk of lower production. Meanwhile, ICE-monitored cocoa inventories continued to rise, reaching 3,593,964 bags on October 16, their highest level in more than two years.