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# August 2025 News & AMA | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 141
- URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/august-2025-news-ama-podsavechocolate-ep-141/
- Published: 2025-08-11T18:00:51.000Z
- Updated: 2025-08-14T16:56:24.000Z
- Description: Episode 141 of #PodSaveChocolate features chocolate news that’s fit to eat and AMA/Ask me Anything (about chocolate and cocoa) for August 2025. [Updated with Futures Prices link]
- Author: Clay Gordon
- Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream

**When and Where to Watch**

🗓️

The stream airs LIVE at 11:00 ****PDT/MST** (12:00 MDT, 1:00 CDT, 2:00 EDT), on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025.  
  
Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode.

Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community.

This ****LINKEDIN** link is shareable. 

[![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/LinkedInLogo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Fpodsavechocolate-lavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-activity-7360729991849922560-rsCm?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) 

Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on LinkedIn. Join my network on LinkedIn to receive notifications and to refer business to each other.

[Watch this episode on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Fpodsavechocolate-lavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-activity-7360729991849922560-rsCm?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) 

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Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on ****TheChocolateLife page** on Facebook (for 30 days, then watch the archive on YouTube). 

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[Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/events/1560401034930547/) 

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## **Episode 141 Overview**

People participating live can ask **AMA** questions in the chat at any point during the episode. **News** topics lined up to be covered include:

### **The Ongoing Saga of the Cost of Cocoa**

| **MARKETS**                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [ICCO Pricing Stats](https://www.icco.org/statistics/?ref=thechocolatelife.com#tab-id-1)                                                                                                                                       |
| [Futures Overview](https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CC%2A0/overview?ref=thechocolatelife.com) / [Futures Prices](https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CC%2A0/futures-prices?ref=thechocolatelife.com) – Barchart.com |
| [Graph](https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cocoa?ref=thechocolatelife.com) – Trading Economics                                                                                                                             |
| **TL;DR** — 1) Tariffs. 2) EUDR. 3) Tariffs. 4) EUDR. 5) No one has a clue.                                                                                                                                                    |

[NewsFlash](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hartree-talks-buy-major-cocoa-trader-touton-sources-say-2025-08-11/?ref=thechocolatelife.com):   
Hartree Partners, a US-based energy and commodities trader, is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the storied French agro-industrial firm Touton, which handles nearly 10% of global cocoa trade. Hartree entered the soft commodities space last year with the purchase of UK-based ED&F Man Commodities, a centuries-old player in sugar and coffee. 

The \[ICE\] exchange is now requiring those trading its cocoa futures - used as a benchmark for pricing physical beans around the world - to put up large amounts of cash as collateral against potential trading losses.

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### **Other Scheduled News Topics In This Episode**

[ICI Says the Obvious: Disappoints Again | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 140Episode 140 takes a look at a recent report issued by the ICI - “Tackling child labour in cocoa: Results of ICI’s Member Reporting Exercise 2024.” What it says, and why this reporter is unconvinced.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-220.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Ep-140-ICI-Report---Featured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pinned/ici-says-the-obvious-disappoints-again-podsavechocolate-ep-140/)

The latest report from the International Cocoa Initiative 

[Cocoa crisis: The main causesThe past year and a half has seen price hikes in cocoa that, while stabilising, show no signs of dropping back to the pre-2024 “normal”.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-13.png)ConfectioneryNews.comAugustus Bambridge-Sutton![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/VZ2ESRP3P5FJNCCDXG6WD53KFE.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/08/05/cocoa-causes-of-the-price-hikes/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

The cause is everything BUT centuries-old unethical cocoa sourcing practices.

[EUDR Update: Legislator’s Remorse? | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 137Episode 137 explores some implications of a recent vote by the EU Parliament to amend the EUDR, as well as calls to delay (again) it coming into force. \[Updated to include links to other episodes dedicated to EUDR coverage.\]![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-219.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Ep-137-EUDR-Desolation---Featured1920x1080-1.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/eudr-update-legislators-remorse-podsavechocolate-ep-137/)

EUDR Update?

### **“The Future” of the Chocolate Value Chain**

[Mars bets on CRISPR to save cocoa from climate chaosMars partners with Pairwise to use CRISPR tech for developing disease- and climate-resilient cacao, aiming to secure future cocoa supply.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-10.png)ConfectioneryNews.comDonna Eastlake![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/WACRAU3FPFHQNLXOJJQM3RLGJU.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/08/11/mars-partners-with-pairwise-to-use-crispr-for-climate-resilient-cocoa/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

Is the GMO cocoa in our future?

[Where will the cocoa supply of the future come from?With disease, weather and aging trees hampering yields in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, are there other locations that could provide a better home for cocoa production?![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-11.png)ConfectioneryNews.comAugustus Bambridge-Sutton![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/266BGZQSQRF7LM23O6GICIQHVM.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/08/07/cocoa-crisis-new-sourcing-locations/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

[Cocoa shortage reshapes recipes and what counts as chocolateCocoa shortages are forcing brands to rethink recipes and labels. Discover how the industry is responding with sustainable alternatives and legal caution.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-12.png)ConfectioneryNews.comNicholas Robinson![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/VHWUZVJYBFARNFDDGNXIQC6NJY.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/08/06/cocoa-shortage-forces-chocolate-label-changes/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

[Top most valuable food brands 2025 announcedNestlé tops Brand Finance’s 2025 food brand rankings for the 10th year, valued at $20bn - $7bn ahead of Lay’s. Lindt enters the top 10 with strong price acceptance, while Cadbury climbs and Heinz improves but stays outside the top 20.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-14.png)ConfectioneryNews.comDonna Eastlake![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/3TRREMPELJGOXFEGMUVW3QQEFQ.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/08/06/top-10-most-valuable-food-brands-2025-nestle-leads-lindt-joins-elite-list/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

[The Top 100 is here](https://brandirectory.com/reports/food-and-drink?ref=thechocolatelife.com).

**Other Stuff**

[F/S – complete chocolate making equipment set – NetherlandsComplete setup for small scale production. Ideal for starting up, as you want to run 1kg batches. Based on Chocolate Alchemy. This has processed around 100kg of beans thus far. All with Dutch plugs, except for the vibrating table (has UK plug – but can provide the adapter used) Roasting – Molino Airfryer Has a rotating drum to ensure good and even heat distribution. Good for 1kg batches. A…![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon_1422040290_228-15.png)TheChocolateLife Forums![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/20250808_103755.jpg)](https://forums.thechocolatelife.com/community/forums/new%5Fposts/19184/f-s-complete-chocolate-making-equipment-set-netherlands?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

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### **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.

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### **Episode Hashtags and Socials**

#News #AMA #Trends  
#cocoa #cacao #cacau  
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate  
#PodSaveChoc #PSC  
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife

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### **Future Episodes**

🗓️

None scheduled at the time this was published.

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### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives**

**To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below.

[Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/)

[#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/)

[PodSaveChocolateHosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. The video versions of this podcast are hosted and archived on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Click on the PodSaveChocolate link in the top nav on TheChocolateLife for the links to the post accompanying each episode.![](https://pnc.st/static/img/256x256.png)Pinecast![](https://social.pinecast.net/preview_card/podcasts/covers/d3730dca-0711-4720-9ef3-3b18918c1f0d/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080.jpg?title=PodSaveChocolate)](https://pnc.st/s/podsavechocolate?ref=thechocolatelife.com)

Audio-only podcasts

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