Latest news with #WorldChocolateDay
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Choc to the system — sweet treats under siege as cocoa prices soar globally
Climate shocks, crop disease and a global supply shortage are resulting in South Africans paying up to 40% more for their favourite chocolate bars and slabs. World Chocolate Day was celebrated annually in the first week of July, but this year there wasn't much to be merry about. In May, global cocoa prices hit R197,500 per tonne. From R154,000 in July 2024, it has been a relentless upwards march and it's hitting South Africans' wallets. And, if that Aero or Bar One feels lighter lately, it's because the world has entered an unprecedented era of chocflation. Ghana and Ivory Coast together produce the lion's share of the world's cocoa. Extreme weather and crop diseases have hit these producing regions exceptionally hard over the past five years. 'The increased variability of seasonal rainfall in the producing areas of the world due to climate change has threatened the viability of cocoa production,' says FNB senior agricultural economist Paul Makube. Cocoa trees need temperatures of between 20℃ and 30℃ and just the right amount of rainfall to grow, Makube explains, but droughts are becoming more frequent and farmers are being forced to adapt or abandon their crops. In addition to climate extremes, crop diseases are decimating harvests. Makube says the cocoa swollen shoot virus has been causing disease that has cut about 17% of Ghana's annual cocoa output over the past few years. Other disease threats that have adversely affected production include witches' broom, frost pod rot and black pod rot, says Thabile Nkunjana, senior economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council. 'The production, yields and quality of cocoa have all been significantly impacted by these factors and consequently prices have risen sharply in recent years,' Nkunjana says. The numbers are eye-watering. As of June, cocoa hit R215/kg – the highest since the World Bank began tracking prices in 1960, Nkunjana says. In 2023 it was just R66/kg. The International Cocoa Organisation now predicts a global supply shortfall of nearly 500,000 metric tonnes for the 2023/24 season. Nevertheless, the global production outlook remains optimistic, Makube says, although demand prospects are worsening because of 'the uncertainty regarding potential inflationary pressures emanating from the US tariff onslaught'. Global squeeze, local crunch The shock is rippling across the globe and down to the local supermarket. In 2016, a chocolate slab in South Africa would have cost an average of R13.27, according to Statistics South Africa. Today, the price of a Dairy Milk slab ranges from R20 to R50, depending on where one shops. Data from consultancy group Eighty20 shows double-digit inflation on chocolate prices almost every year since 2020, far outpacing the overall consumer inflation rate. Since December 2021, the price of chocolate bars has shot up 40%. Spar is 'closely monitoring the global cocoa supply challenges and the resulting price increases in chocolate products', says Gerhard Ackermann, national merchandise executive at the Spar Group. The retailer is trying to cushion the blow with value promotions and proactive stock management. Pick n Pay says it 'always works to deliver the most affordable prices' while ensuring shelves stay stocked. South African chocolatiers are also recalibrating to weather the cocoa price storm. For Beyers Chocolates, a family-owned company that has been making chocolates since 1987, the steep rise has posed many challenges, says its marketing lead, Susan Krause. The company has responded with 'long-term supplier partnerships, smarter procurement planning and operational efficiencies across the value chain', Krause says. By keeping production local, it has been able to soften some of the cost hikes. At luxury craft chocolate maker Afrikoa, which sources its beans from farmers in Tanzania, the sustained increase in prices has heavily influenced cost, even though direct trade has helped the company to absorb 'some volatility', according to head chocolatier Kyle Hickman. Afrikoa has had to become 'more agile in production planning, prioritising efficiency and minimising waste', Hickman says. But he notes a silver lining in that 'informed consumers increasingly value the kind of responsible production that Afrikoa represents', which strengthens the company's brand story despite price sensitivity. Honest Chocolate cofounder Anthony Gird says the rise in cocoa prices, especially over the past two years, has led the company to 'do a price increase just to keep up' earlier this year. He is hoping it won't have to happen again soon, as the cocoa price hasn't risen significantly since Honest Chocolate's last bean consignment purchase. The company's clientele, Gird says, are understanding. 'People who buy our chocolate understand the value in the quality and ethics of the product.' Even global brands like Nestlé are trying to manage the chocflation. The company's 'Africa for Africa' model is focused on local sourcing and production and is tightening operations to manage costs, says Conny Sethaelo, communications director at Nestlé's east and southern Africa region (ESAR). 'This helps us maintain relevance and trust, even in challenging economic conditions,' she says. Laboratory-crafted luxury While traditional cocoa producers and users fight high prices, some scientists are bypassing the pod entirely. Using plant cell cultures in vats of sugary water, researchers are growing cocoa in labs. But not everyone is excited by the science. 'We respect the innovation behind lab-grown alternatives, but our brand is firmly rooted in celebrating the authenticity of African-grown cocoa,' Hickman says. Gird echoes this sentiment and says Honest Chocolate won't be considering lab-grown cocoa in the near future. 'If cocoa supplies dry up to the extent that it becomes needed, then we would be open to giving it a try.' Krause says Beyers Chocolates is 'keeping an eye on global innovations in the category' and is open to sustainable practices that fit its values. Nestlé, on the other hand, is more focused on soil. 'Nestlé ESAR is investing in regenerative agriculture, traceable technologies and community-based farming models,' Sethaelo says. Climate change is hitting cocoa farming hard and Nkunjana notes that Africa is especially vulnerable. 'Policies that lower the danger of climate change and protect farmers from losses should be given regional priority,' he says. These policies will encourage farmers to grow their cocoa production and improve production as a result. Makube sees a way through: a mix of infrastructure upgrades, financial access for farmers, sustainable agroforestry and public-private partnerships. 'The world needs to think about close substitutes for food or food commodities in general in light of the difficulties cocoa is facing,' Nkunjana warns. 'This will ensure that there is a steady supply of food and protect consumers from price shocks.' Despite the crunch, the nation's sweet tooth is undeterred. More than half of adult South Africans have eaten some form of chocolate in the past month, Eighty20's data shows. Bar One, Lunch Bar, Aero, Black Cat and KitKat remain at the top of the sugar-fuelled food chain. Even the viral Dubai chocolate phenomenon, which debuted at an astronomical price point of R1,000 last year, has found a niche, with R400 versions now for sale at Dis-Chem.
The Star
11-07-2025
- The Star
World Chocolate Day 2025: Choc fans will love these travel ideas
So beloved is this cocoa-based confectionery that it's been conferred its very own day of celebration. World Chocolate Day, falling on July 7 annually, is a day that gives anyone with a sweet tooth the excuse to relish the gooey goodness of the saccharine snack. If you are a chocoholic, however, chances are you'd want every day to be one that's chock-full of chocolate. You might even dream of having a chocolate-themed trip. Should that be the case, here are some fun chocolatey things to do and places you can visit to eat, explore and enjoy your favourite treat. Chocolat Express travels from Bern to the chocolate factory in Broc. — Chocolat Express website Chocolate trains As if Switzerland isn't already tempting enough with its Alpine scenery and quaint villages, it also has to be home to numerous premium, high-quality chocolate brands as well. Don't miss the opportunity to sample all the Swiss chocolate you possibly can while visiting the picturesque European country. In fact, you should do so in the most unique way possible – by pairing it with a vintage train ride through scenic Swiss landscapes. Train Du Chocolat (Chocolate Train) is a round-trip transportation service that runs from the picturesque resort town of Montreux to the medieval town of Gruyeres. It's a day excursion that includes a stop at Maison Cailler factory and museum, where you'd gain knowledge about chocolate and eat plenty of sweet treats. There is another train service that offers a direct journey from Bern to the same Maison Cailler in Broc. Chocolat Express, as it's called, takes just an hour and 18 minutes. This train departs from Bern four times a day. Chocolate Museum Kota Damansara is the largest of its kind in South-East Asia. — Chocolate Museum/Facebook Chocolate museums While you're in Switzerland, pay a visit to the world's largest chocolate museum: Lindt Home of Chocolate. Opened in 2020, it also houses the world's largest chocolate fountain. Measuring over 9m tall, the fountain takes the shape of the brand's iconic round truffle with a giant whisk hovering above it, dripping 1,400kg of real chocolate. If you wish to explore only within Asia, then head to the second largest chocolate museum in the world. Located in South Korea's largest (and arguably most famous) island, Jeju, the chocolate museum is also unique in that it is made with the volcanic rock that gives Jeju its distinct look. If you do not wish to venture outside of South-East Asia, luckily we have the largest chocolate museum in the region right here in our backyard! Well, if you live in the Klang Valley, that is. Chocolate Museum Kota Damansara is definitely one we Malaysians cannot forget when talking about such museums. You can have a go at making your own chocolate bars here. Chocolate theme parks Usually when Hokkaido's capital, Sapporo, is mentioned, the food-associated word that comes next is 'beer'. Not at Shiroi Koibito Park, though. The chocolate-themed attraction is dedicated to the eponymous confectionery brand that has become synonymous with Hokkaido – anyone visiting this mountainous region in Japan will count Shiroi Koibito chocolate cookies as must-buy souvenirs. Offering attractions that range from cute cafes to adorable photo spots, the park also has what it dubs the Gulliver Town. It's basically a 'small' town for kids, as in the buildings here are shrunk to around their size. Another fun attraction is the park's Shiroi Koibito Railway Site, though this one doesn't open in winter. If you're more into trains that go around in twisty loops – aka roller coasters – then Hersheypark might be more your speed. The 119-year-old theme park is located in Pennsylvania, United States. Or, you can wait for the upcoming Cacau Park in Brazil. Occupying 700ha of land near Sao Paulo, it will open in 2027 with 35 attractions, one of which will be a 55m-high roller coaster – the largest in South America. The fashion show at Salon du Chocolat is one of its key attractions. — Salon du Chocolat/Facebook Chocolate festivals Eurochocolate is to chocophiles as Eurovision is to music fans. Held annually in Perugia, the capital of Italy's Umbria region, it is the largest chocolate festival in Europe – some say the world – as it draws roughly one million visitors every year. This year, Eurochocolate holds its 31st edition from Nov 14 to 23. Guided by the theme 'clouds/chocolate', visitors can expect to see fluffy cloud installations and cloud-shaped treats at the festival. Salon du Chocolat is another well-known chocolate festival. If you go to this, you'd get to experience something no other chocolate festival would have: A fashion show – as expected from an event born in the world's fashion capital. First held in Paris in 1995, the festival has since expanded to Lyon in south-eastern France as well as cities in other countries, such as Shanghai (China), New York City (US), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Each city has its own date, and the main festival in Paris is set to hold its 30th edition this year from Oct 29 to Nov 3. It also recently made its Malaysian debut in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, as the key highlight of the Foods & Drinks Malaysia B2B trade show by Salon International de l'alimentation. Malaysia also has its own fairly new chocolate festival. Specifically, it is the Chocolate Festival in Johor. While the 2025 edition has already taken place recently in May, you can always watch out for next year's edition. The festival doesn't feature just sweet treats. It also has art workshops, special appearances by local actors and performances by local bands, DJs and singers.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italy's Ferrero to buy WK Kellogg in $3.1 billion deal
Italian confectioner Ferrero said on Thursday that it would buy US cereal maker WK Kellogg for $23 per share, valuing the company at $3.1 billion (€2.6bn). That's a premium of around 31% on Kellogg's closing share price on Wednesday. The deal could allow Italy's Ferrero to establish a foothold in the US market and focus on healthier offerings as consumer habits change. Kellogg, widely considered the original creator of cornflakes, owns brands like Froot Loops, Rice Krispies, and Krave. Confectionery companies have been hit by the rise of weight-loss drugs but also pressure from the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which is campaigning to reduce artificial dyes in cereals. Related Seeking significant growth, Euronext hails EU merger softening World Chocolate Day: The EU is celebrating with sky-high prices Ferrero has been expanding in recent years, buying Nestle's confectionery business and a number of other sweet makers. The Italian firm, which owns Nutella, Thorntons, Kinder, and Tic Tac, was founded in 1946 and is still under family ownership. Kellogg's performance has been lacklustre in recent years after it split from its parent company, Kellanova, in 2023 — and it now holds more than $500 million (€427mn) of debt. Kellanova is also creating its own headlines. The firm, which owns brands such as Pop-Tarts and Pringles, was bought by Mars for $36bn, a deal that is now facing an antitrust probe by European regulators. The deal between Ferrero and WK Kellogg is set to close in the second half of 2025.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Sustainably Sweet: How Nestlé is Packing Decadence into Every Bite
Nestlé - Chocolate has the power to delight but also to drive change Decadent, delicious, and delightfully nostalgic biting into your favourite chocolate bar is a sensory experience that chocolate lovers around the world cherish. While chocolate's ability to bring joy is well known, what's lesser known is its growing impact on the planet—in a good way. Whether you are taking a well-earned break with KitKat, grabbing a snack-time boost with BarOne or enjoying the bubbly lightness of Aero - Nestlé's beloved chocolate confectionery brands have been delighting South Africans for decades. But to commemorate World Chocolate Day which took place earlier this week on 7 July, it's what's behind the bar that's making the real difference. Better Cocoa In South Africa, KitKat is made with 100% sustainably sourced cocoa—thanks to the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, launched in 2009. This initiative focuses on Better Farming, Better Lives, and Better Cocoa, and works to positively impact the lives of cocoa-farming families across Africa. One of the Cocoa Plan's most impactful initiatives is the Income Accelerator Programme, which has already enrolled over 10,000 farming families in Côte d'Ivoire. The programme encourages better agricultural practices—such as pruning and crop diversification—while also supporting children's education and empowering women within cocoa farming communities.
Deccan Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Chocolatiers in Bengaluru reinvent menus as cocoa prices soar
Several Bengaluru-based chocolatiers told Metrolife the ongoing crisis has affected their pricing and demand. World Chocolate Day was observed on July 7.
