2025 in a Crystal Ball | #PodSaveChocolate Ep88

When and Where to Watch

Episode 88 Overview

2024 was a tumultuous year in the global cocoa and chocolate markets. Will 2025 be any better? What’s in store and some news ways TheChocolateLife can help you manage in this episode of #PodSaveChocolate.

Cacao Markets

Cocoa futures climbed further, surpassing $12,500 per tonne and breaking the previous all-time high of nearly $12,220 set on April 15th, driven by worries that dry weather this season in West Africa could lead to a fourth consecutive supply deficit. Dealers said that while the weather outlook in West Africa has improved compared to last season, it remains a concern due to the ongoing tightness of the market. Farmers in top producer Ivory Coast said recently that the lack of adequate rains and heat could weigh on the development of the October-to-March main crop.

The global cocoa market faced its largest deficit in over 60 years during the 2023-2024 marketing year, driven by significant crop failures in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world’s top cocoa producers, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). Supply challenges, worsened by climate change, are expected to keep cocoa prices historically high in the coming year, as demand outpaces production.
— Source: Trading Economics, December 17

TL;DR Context

In 1977 the price of cocoa peaked at $5,700/MT, occurring during “The Great Cocoa Boom” of the 1970s, when cocoa prices increased from just over $500 per tonne in 1971.

The 1977 peak of $5,700/MT is approximately $27,000/MT today.

Related Topics

• The Impact of the EUDR/CSDDD/CSRD/ESRS, and more
• The (Potential) Impact of Trump Administration Tariffs
• The Heavy Metals Controversy Will Continue

On/In TheChocolateLife

Custom molds can be expensive, so TheChocolateLife is teaming up with manufacturers in Turkey to produce custom polycarbonate molds at significant savings. While I am still finalizing the details, the current guesstimate is €3500 for 100 (the MOQ) 275 x 175 x 25 molds. Other sizes are also available.

If you want to learn more about acquiring custom polycarbonate molds, email us.

Many of you may know I represented FBM from 2012-2019 – I sold Dylan Butterbaugh of Manoa Chocolate his first continuous tempering machine (an Aura). I have a piece of their equipment named after me (the Kleego), and I was involved in developing capabilities like the Craft Chocolate Upgrade to handle high-viscosity and two-ingredient chocolates. This work was initially done for French Broad.

I am always looking for alternative sources for high-quality equipment that can deliver competitive performance specs at lower costs. In 2025 TheChocolateLife is officially teaming up with a Turkish manufacturer. Equipment includes:

• ball mills
• roll mills
• conches
• magnetic traps
• continuous tempering machines
• melting and holding tanks
• pumps and jacketed piping
• enrobers
• one-shot depositors
• conveyor belts
• Don’t see what you’re looking for on this list? Ask!

SOME of the benefits of this collaboration are the level of customization, integration, and on-site installation services on offer. These include integrating equipment from other manufacturers into your line (with any necessary materials handling equipment). Clients are encouraged to visit the plant in Turkey to see their equipment working and to get trained on its use and preventive maintenance before being crated for shipping.

If you want to learn more about the specific equipment you need email us.

Since 2014 I have managed a group on Facebook – Salones Interacionales de Cacao y Chocolate. It was originally called something like International Chocolate Salons, and I started it so that international visitors to the Salon del Cacao y Chocolate in Lima could stay in touch. A couple of years ago I translated the name into Spanish and since then the membership has grown to over 10,000 with about half the membership in South America. There are between 10-20 new posts per week in the group. All new memberships – and posts – are moderated to reduce spam, rapid, and duplicate posting.

If you are located in Latin America or want to do business with companies located there, and you have a Facebook account, consider joining. While you’re at it, consider following TheChocolateLife page.

I recently added a BlueSky account to transition away from X/Twitter. I know it’s going to take a while to replicate the following/follower counts, but if you follow @discoverchoc on X/Twitter and have a BlueSky account, please consider following me and I will follow you back to help you grow your numbers.

2025 Events

Featured Events: January through April

Questions?

If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at any time.

More Episode Hashtags (and Related Accounts to Follow)

#2025 #CrystalBall
#cocoa #cacao #cacau
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate
#PodSaveChoc #PSC
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife

Future Episodes

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